Ben Chilwell has sustained a horrible hamstring injury, with no expected timeframe set yet for his return to action.
Mauricio Pochettino made this heartbreaking revelation in a presser on Friday, September 29, 2023.
Chilwell has had a scan on the injury that saw him exit the pitch in the dying embers of their Carabao Cup 3rd round encounter against Brighton on September 27, 2023.
The Englishman has made 7 appearances for Chelsea this season, scoring no goal and providing 1 assist.
The Blues now have a problem in their defense, as their first-choice full-backs will be sidelined for a lengthy period due to injury.
Captain Reece James is also nursing a thigh injury, and he is expected to return to footballing action after the international break in October 2023
Speaking ahead of the clash with Fulham on Monday, October 2, 2023, Chelsea’s coach, Mauricio Pochettino said: “When they’re at their best, they are the best full-backs in the world.
“At all clubs, important players are missed when they don’t play.
“If the question is ‘do we miss them?’ Of course. Reece is a top player and Chilwell also.”
The injury to Reece James and Ben Chilwell also means that both the Captain and vice-captain of Chelsea are unavailable for action due to injuries.
Ben Chilwell was absent for about 3 months in the 2022/23 season due to injury
Both players have battled injury issues in recent seasons, with Chilwell being sidelined for about 3 months last season.
The 26-year-old was absent due to a hamstring issue, and that saw him make only 23 Premier League appearances in the 2023/24 season.
The former Leicester City player made 30 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions last season, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists.
Meanwhile, Reece James made 16 Premier League appearances, having battled through knee, thigh, and hamstring injuries last season.
James made only 24 appearances for the West London club in all competitions last season, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists.
He is currently embroiled in an issue with the FA, after he was charged on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, for confronting referee Jarred Gillett.
Ben Chilwell at Chelsea
Anyway, Ben Chilwell joined Chelsea from Leicester City on August 26, 2020, for a fee of €50.2 million.
He has won several trophies with the Stamford Bridge club, namely; 1 UEFA Champions League title, and 1 UEFA Super Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino will have to bank on either Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, and Axel Disasi to deputize at full-back position, in the absence of his first-choice starters.
Pochettino stressed the importance of Ben Chilwell and Reece James, saying that no player can come in as a viable replacement for the duo.
The Argentine said: “All teams when they miss important players are affected [in their] performance.
“Why did we not sign another Ben Chilwell and another Reece James? Because there’s only one Reece James and one Ben Chilwell.”
The 51-year-old also emphasized the need for balance, saying: “If you have in the squad one top player in one position, it’s difficult to bring in another one in the same position to sit on the bench. It’s about balance.”
Monday night football sees Chelsea clashing with Fulham at Craven Cottage
Chelsea visit Craven Cottage to trade tackles with Fulham on Monday, October 2, 2023.
They secured their 3rd win of the season across all competitions on Wednesday, defeating Brighton by 1-0.
The Blues sit 14th on the Premier League table, with 5 points from 6 matches, having won only 1 game this season, drawing 2 and losing 3.
Chelsea were winless in both legs against Fulham last season, losing at Craven Cottage (2 – 1), and drawing at Stamford Bridge (0 – 0).
