Chelsea fear Antonio Rudiger will miss the start of next season with the knee injury that ruled him out of the final month of the campaign just gone.

Rudiger had to undergo surgery on his left knee meniscus after being forced out of the 1-1 draw against Manchester United on April 28.

He missed the final five games of the season as Chelsea clinched third place in the Premier League, qualified for the Champions League and won the Europa League.

Rudiger has not suffered a set-back in his rehabilitation and is said to be recovering well, but he is determined not to rush back ahead of schedule.

Chelsea believe the 26-year-old may not be ready for the first Premier League game of the season against Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 11 and the Super Cup clash against Liverpool three days later.

The absence of Rudiger will be bad news for Chelsea’s next head coach, who is expected to be Frank Lampard, as they look for a good start to their Stamford Bridge career.

Rudiger was one of Chelsea’s best players under both Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri and has established himself as a favourite of the fans.