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Chelsea landed safely in Krasnodar this evening ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League group stage match, but have done so without Thiago Silva, who’s remained back at Cobham to rest and recover after two high intensity games last week, against Sevilla and Manchester United.
His absence certainly puts the recent Antonio Rüdiger stories into a different light, with Toni possibly ready to feature against the Russian Premier League side tomorrow.
Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 4 of Thiago Silva’s 5 starts for the club and have given 7 goals in the other 4 matches combined, winning just one.
Lampard on Rudiger: "I have had discussions with Antonio and all the players as regularly as I can do. I have always had a positive relationship with him. Everything we do is for the club. He is in the squad and in contention to play." #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 27, 2020
The veteran center back is the only surprise absence from the traveling squad, with Marcos Alonso suspended and Kepa Arrizabalaga injured.
The 22-man squad for tomorrow’s match (one less than allowed by UEFA rules), is as follows:
GK: Caballero, Mendy, Žiger
D: Christensen, Tomori, Zouma, Rüdiger, Azpilicueta, James, Chilwell, Emerson
M: Jorginho, Kanté, Kovačić, Mount, Ziyech, Havertz
F: Abraham, Werner, Giroud, Pulisic, Hudson-Odoi