There are reports Antonio Rudiger could be on his way out of Chelsea after he was dropped from the squad for Sunday’s game against Liverpool.
Rudiger has had his fair share of critics and his position at the club looked somewhat unstable even before the recent signing of experienced centre-back Thiago Silva.
Even with Silva not in contention yet as he builds up his fitness, there was no place in the squad for Rudiger for Sunday’s game.
And boss Frank Lampard was asked at his post-match conference about Rudiger’s future in light of the decision to omit him.
Lampard replied: “Now we have five centre-halves at the club. I can’t pick a squad that has three of them on the bench.
“So that’s the way it is. I have to pick the squad by training, situations and opponents and that was the selection.”
Lampard opted to instead give a place on the bench to Fikayo Tomori – who ended coming on after Andreas Christensen was sent off.
He did really well, Tomori, I have to say,” Lampard said.
“He hasn’t played for a while and is striving for fitness. I was delighted with him.
“I hope he feels the trust. I’ve got confidence in him.”