Chelsea internationals: Rüdiger picks up assist in Germany win; Ziyech released early by Morocco

The international break rumbles on, although the only Chelsea players in action on Saturday were those in Die Mannschaft, who were taking on Ukraine in a Nations League match in Kiev.

And the only player of the three to receive significant minutes was Antonio Rüdiger, who not only started in the 2-1 win, but also set up Germany’s opening goal with a cross in the second phase of a set piece. Not bad for a big man, turning his man and pushing past him before putting in a low cross that reached Matthias Ginter at the far post for an easy finish.

Neither Timo Werner not Kai Havertz started, though they both made substitute appearances late in the second half. Werner played the last ten minutes while Havertz got maybe a minute before the final whistle in added-on time.

Elsewhere in League A Group 4, David De Gea got the start over Kepa Arrizabalaga, and kept a clean sheet against Switzerland, to keep Spain atop the group.

But more importantly than that, Morocco have reportedly released Hakim Ziyech for an early return to Chelsea, as apparently it had been agreed between the club and the Moroccan federation ahead of time. It had been a bit odd that we let Ziyech join up with the national team when he wasn’t even fit to be on the Chelsea bench, but it sounds like we had a pretty solid plan, which included the 30 minutes of friendly action on Friday (complete with a nice assist). Now Ziyech will get to finish his recovery back at Cobham and hopefully be ready to play next weekend against Southampton.