Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed today (Friday) that Ben Chilwell, who was injured and replaced in the Champions League game against Juventus last Tuesday, is suffering a partial tear in the cross-strap. As you may recall, the blues’ left defender suffered a not-so-easy glide from Adrian Ravio from the old lady and could not continue. According to the German coach of the European champions in the next six weeks it will be decided whether the player needs surgery, when if one is required – it is quite likely that Chillwell will finish the season.
“We decided to treat his injury in the most conservative and careful way possible,” Tuchel said. “In the next six weeks we will be able to say definitively whether the injury is behind him and he will be fit, or whether he will need surgery. Currently, I am concentrating on the six week period, and I am optimistic because his body’s reaction after the injury is positive.” The coach added: “The decision was made after considering all the options available to us. We wanted to make the most responsible decision. We hope he will get through this period, recover and get back to playing.”
Chillwell’s forced absence for the next six weeks means that the left-back, who started the season very well, will miss Chelsea’s next 11 games, with the Blues expected to play against Manchester United in the 13th round of the English league on Sunday.