Lampard sends ‘massive message’ to Rudiger after brilliant his performance against Newcastle
Antonio Rudiger got a rare start in the Premier League, as Chelsea defeated Newcastle 2-0 at the St James Park on Saturday afternoon.
Veteran defender Thiago Silva was absent in the game, as Chelsea boss Frank Lampard decided to give the 36-year-old a rest following a long trip to South America.
Rudiger came in for Thiago Silva, and it’s safe to say that the Brazilian wasn’t even missed at all.
Lampard admitted that Rudiger had a good game, and even had to say that it’s not easy to come in and do so well when you have been on the bench for so long. “I was pleased with his performance it’s not easy,” the Chelsea boss said.
“I talked before the game about having five centre backs a lot of managers would say I’d love five centre backs but it brings difficulties because you can only pick two if you are playing a back four.
“Three are going to be unhappy and it’s not easy to ask them to come straight into the team if they aren’t playing regularly and ask them to perform and that means they have to have good attitude through the week, good attitude in how they prepare and I’ve got confidence in Toni.
“He came in and I thought his performance alongside Kurt they were very strong. Anything that came in the box they dealt with it very well. They had a lot of the ball and moved it well.
“I’m very happy and it’s a hugely important to have a strong squad this year with the schedule as it is so for Toni to come in and play and keep a clean sheet is brilliant for him and brilliant for me.”