RUDIGER’S FUTURE UP IN THE AIR

ANTONIO RUDIGER is facing an uncertain future, with Chelsea yet to offer the defender a new contract.

After securing costly deals for attacking duo Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech ahead of next season, manager Frank Lampard is now focusing on strengthening his defence.

But there is growing doubt over Rudiger’s position in the Chelsea boss’s plans, with little movement in terms of a new deal for the Germany international.

Rudiger has entered the last two years of his contract, but the club are yet to hold formal discussions over an extension, despite rumours that a deal would be forthcoming earlier in the season. Rudiger (below) signed from Roma in 2017 in a deal worth £29million and established himself under managers Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri. His first season under Lampard has been hampered by injury, but he has still made 22 appearances this campaign.

The 27-year-old had lost his place in the starting XI, but regained it for Tuesday’s win over Norwich — the club’s first league clean sheet since the restart. The future of Marcos Alonso remains uncertain, too, with Lampard searching for a new left back ahead of next season. Chelsea’s top target is Leicester and England’s Ben Chilwell. Lampard is also unconvinced that goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga can be his long-term No 1, but the club are reluctant to sell the Spaniard this summer given he only signed at the start of last season for a club record £71.5m.