In the Champions League on Wednesday, Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger was able to make his first appearance of the season against the Russian side of FK Krasnodar after the German defenseman had talks with the manager of the team.
Rudiger, 27, did not appear this season and he looks set to return to the lineup with center back Thiago Silva rested on a trip to Russia after he was linked to a loan move to Tottenham Hotspur and Paris St Germain in the summer transfer window.
“I’ve had discussions with Antonio. I’ve always had a positive relationship with him,” Lampard told a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s match, according to Reuters.
“Everything I do, I do for the club and selections and the team, and at the minute sometimes you have to have players out of the squad and it is big news for everybody.
“He is in the squad and in contention to play.”
Chelsea’s opening Group E match against Seville finished goalless last week and the club’s three-game win-free in all competitions.
