Outspoken Rudiger axed

ANTONIO RUDIGER was axed from Chelsea’s squad to face Southampton as punishment for publicly questioning manager Antonio Conte’s tactics.

The Germany defender, a £29million signing from Roma last summer, has played 39 times this season and his omission at St Mary’s yesterday raised eyebrows.

When asked about it after Chelsea’s 3-2 win, Conte insisted the decision to omit Rudiger was itself ‘tactical’.

However, it is understood Conte took the surprise decision because he was so incensed after Rudiger appeared to question his methods after last Sunday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham.

Rudiger was quoted as saying: ‘I don’t understand why, after 1-0, we always drop and let the opponent get more ball possession.’

Earlier this season, Conte infamously froze out defender David Luiz for questioning his tactics.