Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell is facing a spell on the sidelines through injury.
Chilwell limped off during Chelsea’s 1-0 win against Brighton in midweek with a suspected hamstring issue and Pochetino has confirmed that the England international will miss Monday’s clash with Fulham and the club’s upcoming schedule.
“Bad news [on Chilwell]. The doctor told me is it is a bad injury but we need to assess in the next few days,” Pochettino told his pre-match press conference.
“Yes [it’s the same leg as last season]. I think so. It’s the mechanism of the action. He was a little bit unlucky in the way he suffered the injury. It’s very sad because he was doing a very good game.”
Pochettino was asked how Chelsea would deal with the loss of Chilwell, alongside captain Reece James, and admitted it is difficult to replace the influential duo.
“[At his] best, [Chilwell] is one of the best left-back in the world,” Pochettino said.
“There is only one Reece James and Ben Chilwell. I think the club try [to give us depth], with Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella, and that is football.
“I want two [in each position]. When you have in the squad, like happen in the past, you have one player in one position it is difficult to bring in another top player to be on the bench.
“The problem is not if we signed Malo Gusto and Marc – who can do really well. I think we need to try and have these two top players fit and healthy.”
