Facing a high-flying Brentford side is already looking like a bit of a banana skin type of game for Chelsea as they look to mount a serious title challenge this season but it seems they may be without two key players.
Club record signing Romely Lukaku and Antonio Rudiger have been two key players intrinsically linked to the successes so far this season for the west Londoners.
So, the news that both could potentially miss the next Premier League game against the Bees is a worrying prospect for manager Thomas Tuchel who has been waxing lyrical about the pair in the past.
The former of the aforementioned duo withdrew from the Belgium squad following an innocuous injury suffered in the Red Devils’ 3-2 loss in the Nations League semi-final against France.
“Romelu Lukaku is suffering from muscle fatigue, same as Eden Hazard,” manager Roberto Martinez broke to the media in his post-match press conference.
“They’re not in best conditions to play. They’re leaving the national team camp due to these problems – I don’t know how long it will take.”
And now German outlet Sport Bild, via the Metro, have revealed that Rudiger was absent from the latest Germany training session as Hansi Flick’s side prepared for the North Macedonia game with the squad travelling to Skopje later today at the time of writing (Sunday).
Flick explained after training: “Antonio Rudiger didn’t train as a precautionary measure, he received treatment and was doing well today.”
He added: “It was a precautionary measure for Toni Rüdiger. The final training was more a matter of regeneration anyway. So it was okay for him was in the hotel.”
As a result of these injury blows, the number 9 position could be temporarily filled by Kai Havertz or Timo Werner if the Belgian wasn’t to make it in time for the west London derby – but what about in central defence if Chelsea’s number 2 was also missing going into the game on Saturday, October 16?
Well, fans of the club from SW6 seem to have found the answer amongst their ranks in the form of Malang Sarr, who has yet to make a Premier League appearance this season.
(Image: Chelsea fans)
Here is the best of the reaction on social media from the Chelsea faithful.
@itsrunghoa has chosen who should replace Rudi in his opinion: ‘Malang Sarr’s showtime.’
@surennn11 put: ‘Malang Sarr to the rescue [followed by a crying emoji].’
@Opuni_CFC reckons: ‘Malang Sarr will look good against a team like Brentford.. I respect Brentford but we have our 3rd choices this chance…’
@Dane_Saunders01 joked: ‘I guess it’s hard carrying the defence.’
@CFC_Dan1 has said: ‘Lukaku and Rudiger now, I hate international break.’
On the other hand, a couple of Chelsea fans are optimistic that the two 28-year-old’s will make it back in time for the trip across the capital.
@nathancole09 tweeted: ‘Rudiger will be ok, German manager said he is responding well to treatment.’
@_JoelCFC replied: ‘He is fine tho, even travelling to Skopje but just needs rest. Most likely won’t play tomorrow but is not injured.’