Chelsea hero Pat Nevin believes Antonio Rudiger can be proud of his performance in defeat at Manchester City on Sunday.

Nevin reviewed Rudiger's performance for Chelsea's website.

He wrote: “You may also have noted that Toni gave away a few fouls and was booked in the end for his troubles, but that was part of the reason why I was impressed. He was utterly committed to his work, which was to stop Sergio Aguero and co. as well as he could.

“His marking and his tackling were generally exceptional, rarely did anyone get past him.

“On a few occasions his pace was tested against Leroy Sane and Kyle Walker, but he wasn't found wanting and those are two of the very quickest in the business.

“The German is a real old-school defender's defender in the very best sense of the phrase. He clearly loves tackling and I bet that being given a man-to-man marking job would sound like an early birthday present to him.

“He is rapid obviously when he sprints but he has lightning reactions when good players try to turn him too. He is also pretty damn hard, which you really ought to be if you play back there.

“When you consider the big games coming up and in particular the trip to the Nou Camp with those ultra-skilful fast-thinking forwards, then I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was Antonio Rudiger whose name was pencilled in first on that team sheet.

“Some may have headed for the team bus with their shoulders a little slumped up in Manchester, but he can throw his back and be proud that he stopped almost everything that a very good team could throw at him for 90-odd minutes."