Xabi Alonso has managed to put together some of the jigsaw pieces at Chelsea since his arrival, and he’s a whole lot closer to completing the puzzle than Liam Rosenior ever was.

In some games, Chelsea have looked great. The win over Man United, the battering of Bournemouth, and even getting a win over Brighton in the current landscape is an excellent result. But they aren’t consistent.

Well, reports now claim Chelsea are considering a move to re-sign Antonio Rudiger from Real Madrid. Not all of those in Chelsea’s hierarchy will be on board, given the 33-year-old’s injury problems.

In the summer, Chelsea signed a World Cup winner in goal, a veteran in midfield by the name of Jordan Henderson, and a Premier League icon in Danny Welbeck up top. They didn’t do that in central defence.

Rudiger would change that. Not only would he provide the likes of Fofana, Colwill and Lacroix with a tutor they can learn from, one whose standards are incredibly high, but Rudiger is an icon at Stamford Bridge.

What the pundits have said about re-signing Antonio Rudiger

Last season, Rudiger was out of contract at Madrid and Chelsea were linked with his signature. But the German defender ended up signing a one-year extension at Madrid, following Jose Mourinho’s arrival.

In January, Rudiger will find his contract is coming to an end again, and Chelsea have the chance to get their former defender back on a pre-contract arrangement. That, or offer Madrid a bargain transfer fee.

To some pundits, Rudiger makes perfect sense. Ray Parlour urged Chelsea to re-sign him, while Chelsea fan Charlie Austin has said the same recently: “They should never have let him go, or allowed him to go.

He is the ideal person, Chelsea need back. When Chelsea had Thiago Silva in there, he was so important. Rudiger can fill the void, but only if they can get over that age threshold stuff,” Austin said, back in April.

He might not play all the time, his injuries may prevent him from doing so. But Rudiger would improve the other centre-backs around him, like Henderson, Martinez and Welbeck are trying to do at Chelsea.