Chelsea’s second silverware of this season came after they defeated Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup final last month. The first one was last August, when they won the UEFA Super Cup.
The Blues are in contention to retain the Champions League trophy and win the FA Cup this season.
Thomas Tuchel saw his side progress to the quarter-final of the European competition after sealing a 2-1 win over Lille on Wednesday. The west London club can make it to the last four of the FA Cup, if they manage to overcome Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been hit with sanctions by the UK government and as a result of that, the Champions League winners have a limited spend on their away trips. This may not be sufficient for their travel to Middlesbrough this weekend.
After the Premier League side’s latest win over Lille, Sky Italia asked Antonio Rüdiger about the upcoming trip to face Chris Wilder’s side.
“It is not always easy to think only of the pitch but we have a responsibility towards others. Does the bus trip to Middlesbrough scare us? I don’t know what to say (laughs),” he was quoted as saying by TuttoMercatoWeb.
The defender’s contract expires in June and he was also quizzed about his future at Stamford Bridge. Rüdiger said: “Future? At the moment I am here, I have always said that I am happy here and we will see what to do in the future.”
