Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is in Rome to undergo surgery on his injured knee and is unlikely to play again this season, sources have told ESPN FC.
Germany international Rudiger returned ahead of schedule from a knee problem that forced him out of Chelsea’s defeat at Liverpool earlier this month.
He started the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday but limped off after 65 minutes.
Sources told ESPN FC that Rudiger is set to undergo an operation on his left knee on Thursday — a procedure that will almost certainly rule him out of the remainder of Chelsea’s campaign.
Rudiger has established himself as a key presence at the heart of Maurizio Sarri’s defence, starting 33 of Chelsea’s 36 Premier League games this season and making 44 appearances in all competitions.
His absence is likely to provide an opportunity for Andreas Christensen to start alongside David Luiz, while opening the door for club captain Gary Cahill — who has not made a competitive appearance since November — to return to the bench.
Rudiger is the second Chelsea player to suffer a season-ending injury this month after winger Callum Hudson-Odoi ruptured his Achilles tendon against Burnley.