Chelsea: Lampard's defensive coaching questioned by Cross
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard insists there are no problems between himself and Antonio Rudiger and insists the centre-back is still part of his plans. After Chelsea signed Thiago Silva in the summer transfer window it became apparent that Lampard would look to offload one of his other central defenders.
With Silva at Stamford Bridge, Lampard now had five centre-backs to choose from meaning someone would drop down the pecking order.
It originally looked as though Fikayo Tomori would be the one to make way after he was left out of the first matchday squad.
But Rudiger then dropped out of the side with speculation growing that he could look to leave Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggested the Germany international had demanded a move away, but Chelsea weren't willing to let the defender leave for anything under their value.
"I've always had a positive relationship with him.
"Everything I do I do for the club and selections and for the team, and every week with the squad we have sometimes you have to have players out of the squad.
"So that's always big news for everybody. But we have a very positive relationship.
"He's in the squad, so very much in contention to play."
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Antonio Rudiger is yet to play for Chelsea this season (Image: GETTY)