‘Antonio Rudiger is Chelsea’s finest defender… however he’s going out the door’ – Martin Keown urges Blues urged to maintain Barcelona and PSG goal

Chelsea have been advised to not promote Antonio Rudiger amid hyperlinks with attainable strikes to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain – ‘as a result of he’s their finest defender’.

That’s in keeping with Arsenal legend Martin Keown, who says the Germany centre-back is the Blues’ finest likelihood of ending their horrible targets in opposition to document.

Frank Lampard continues to be looking for an answer to his defensive points along with his aspect persevering with to leak targets.

Chelsea shipped 54 targets within the Premier League final season – greater than every other workforce within the high ten – and have already conceded three of their first two video games of the brand new marketing campaign.

Keown has branded the Blues defence ‘a joke and a shame’ and he believes Rudiger is their finest hope in fixing it.

However the 27-year-old is at present thought to be the fifth alternative centre-back at Stamford Bridge following the arrivals of Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr this summer season.

Lampard additionally has greater than 30 gamers on his books. It’s no secret he’s making an attempt to skinny out his squad earlier than the October 5 deadline, and Rudiger has been extensively linked with a transfer away with the likes of PSG and Barcelona .

However that might be a mistake, in keeping with Keown, who mentioned Chelsea’s defensive issues with talkSPORT host Jim White on Friday.

“The targets they concede, they don’t appear to know how you can mark correctly from crosses,” mentioned the previous Arsenal and England centre-back.

“We’re requested to analyse now on this job, to have a look at the element; take a look at Chelsea’s line.

“I’ve spent hours watching, their defence is a joke, it’s a shame!

“Silva’s are available, perhaps he’ll resolve that, however I feel Rudiger is definitely their finest defender.

“He’ll carry out higher with any individual alongside him telling him the craft of how you can mark from crosses – which is the place they conceded lots of targets final season.

“Defending has gone out the window within the Premier League in the intervening time, by the best way, however there are parts of Chelsea’s workforce on the again that aren’t fairly proper.

“They’re not in place early sufficient and that’s as a result of they fall asleep.”

Requested what he believes Lampard’s first alternative centre-back pairing must be, Keown added:

“I’d go Thiago Silva alongside Rudiger.

“I do know Rudiger has an issue from set items, however all of them do. Kurt Zouma is perhaps a greater header of the ball, however he’s additionally susceptible to errors.

“I feel Rudgier is their finest defender, and that’s the long-time partnership.

“However, it seems like Rudiger goes out the door!”