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Antonio Rudiger not on verge of Chelsea exit after latest omission against Tottenham, insists Frank Lampard

Getty Images
Getty Images

Frank Lampard insists that Antonio Rudiger is not on the verge of leaving Chelsea.

The German defender was once again omitted from the matchday squad for Tuesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at Tottenham, which the visitors lost on penalties after Mason Mount's costly shootout miss.

He also played no part in the 6-0 demolition of Championship strugglers Barnsley last week and has been included on the bench just once in three Premier League games so far in 2020-21 - for the opening 3-1 win at Brighton, where he was an unused substitute.

Rudiger - who has been further pushed down Chelsea's defensive pecking order by the signing of Thiago Silva - has been linked with a surprise move to London rivals Spurs over recent days, while French champions Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with a strong interest in the centre-back.

But asked after the defeat by Tottenham if Rudiger was on his way out of Chelsea, Lampard said: "No. It's not at that point."

Lampard also said he had no new updates with regards to any further incomings at Stamford Bridge in advance of the transfer deadline on October 5.

Chelsea have already made seven first-team signings so far this summer, with the most recent in £22million goalkeeper Edouard Mendy making his debut against Tottenham.