Chelsea have been dealt a blow with Ben Chilwell ruled out of action until December with a hamstring injury. Mauricio Pochettino previously admitted it was bad news when speculating how long the 26-year-old could be sidelined for, and now it’s been confirmed by Mike McGrath of the Telegraph that he faces an eight-week layout at the very least.
Chilwell picked up the injury in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup, limping off the pitch late on. The England international might not even return this year if his recovery doesn’t go perfectly, so Pochettino could be forced to give Marc Cucurella more opportunities in his preferred role.
Chilwell absence gives Cucurella a chance for more playing time
The 25-year-old made his first Premier League start of the season in Monday’s 2-0 win over Fulham due to Malo Gusto’s suspension, operating in a makeshift right-back role. He’s likely to return to the bench when Gusto returns but won’t have Chilwell for competition, so the Spaniard might get more playing time than if Chilwell was fit.
Cucurella has spent most of the campaign on the bench but played a full 90 minutes in three of Chelsea’s last six games in all competitions, so he’s slowly winning his manager over. He’s been on the winning team for the Blues’ last two games too, so he might still have a future at Stamford Bridge.
Chilwell continues to be unlucky with injuries
Chilwell missed several weeks with a hamstring injury last season but looks set to be out for even more time this campaign, so he must be ruing his luck.
The 26-year-old had been dropped by Pochettino before picking up the recent knock, but he was still getting minutes from the bench every game.
Chelsea face Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon and will be without their trusty left-sided Englishman.
Pochettino will be hoping there are no complications with his rehabilitation.
In other news, could Chelsea sign Victor Osimhen in January?
