Chelsea to renew Antonio Rudiger interest

Chelsea will revive their long-standing interest in Antonio Rudiger when the transfer window reopens in the New Year. The German international was strongly tipped to join the Blues in the summer before he suffered a nasty knee injury.

Rudiger damaged his anterior cruciate ligaments while training with Germany prior to Euro 2016, and this has kept him out for the vast part of four months.

The Mail reports that the Blues' scouts will keep a close eye on the player's return in the coming months on the request of Antonio Conte.

The Italian was previously impressed by the centre-half's showing at AS Roma, but he is now circumspect as to how he would perform after a long-term injury layoff.

Chelsea had held negotiations over a transfer sum for Rudiger in the summer, and it is believed he would cost something around the £35m range.