Chelsea’s manager is reportedly growing increasingly worried about the injury-prone nature of left-back Ben Chilwell.
The 26-year-old, who was acquired for a hefty £50 million from Leicester in 2020, has grappled with persistent fitness problems.
His latest setback occurred during the EFL Cup match against Brighton, where he had to be substituted late in the game due to a hamstring injury.
This injury raises concerns that the English international may face an extended period on the sidelines.
Mauricio Pochettino is already without right-back Reece James until after the international break, as he has a thigh problem, and the manager was asked last week about the pair. “When they’re at their best, they are the best full-backs in the world,” he said.
“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] is also.”
Chelsea have £62m-signing Marc Cucurella and Ian Maatsen as backups for Chilwell at left back but are willing to listen to offers to sign Cucurella in January, sources told ESPN.