Chelsea fear Ben Chilwell’s knee injury may be cruciate ligament damage

Chelsea are waiting to discover whether Ben Chilwell could miss the rest of the season with suspected anterior cruciate ligament damage.

Chilwell was forced off during Chelsea’s win against Juventus on Tuesday night and will be scanned to determine the severity of the injury. The left-back could be out for six to nine months if fears that he has sustained ACL damage are confirmed. Even if he has avoided cruciate damage he is highly unlikely to play again this year.

Chelsea will be desperate to receive good news on Chilwell, who has been in outstanding form this season. The England international had a slow start but he has impressed since winning his place back from Marcos Alonso. He has played a major part in Thomas Tuchel’s side rising to the top of the Premier League and has scored four times for club and country.

Chilwell appeared to be in major trouble after jarring his knee during the second half of Chelsea’s victory at Stamford Bridge. He walked off with assistance and Tuchel later said that some of the pain had subsided, but that does not necessarily mean he has avoided serious injury. West Ham’s Angelo Ogbonna played on for a few minutes after sustaining a knee injury against Liverpool this month, only for scans to reveal the defender had ACL damage.

England will also be anxiously waiting to find out whether Chilwell is facing a lengthy lay-off. The 24‑year‑old, who has impressed since joining Chelsea from Leicester in the summer of 2020, is a regular in Gareth Southgate’s squad and it would be a major blow if he were unable to take part in preparations for the 2022 World Cup.

Chelsea also have concerns over N’Golo Kanté, who is a doubt to face Manchester United on Sunday after being taken off against Juventus with a knee problem. Ruben Loftus‑Cheek would be in line to start in central midfield if Kanté is out.