Chelsea targeting mid-September return for Antonio Rüdiger — report

According to the Daily Mail, Antonio Rüdiger should be returning from injury sometime in mid-September, after the first international break, in for either our Premier League match against Wolves at Molineux (September 14) or the weekend after against Liverpool at home.

Rüdiger has been sidelined since the game against Manchester United on April 28, when he aggravated a knee injury initially suffered against Liverpool two weeks before. The 26-year-old defender had meniscus surgery on his left knee, with an initial prognosis of 3-6 months. It sounds like’s on track to return in less than five.

Rüdiger, just as he’s been the last two years under Conte and Sarri, is expected to play a big part in Frank Lampard’s plans as well. Until his return, one of the younger players, like Andreas Christensen or Kurt Zouma should be able to deputize just fine (alongside David Luiz, one would have to assume). His return could coincide with the return of Callum Hudson-Odoi as well, which would make September a nice early-season boost to our ambitions.