- Ben Chilwell is again on the sidelines due to injury
- The England international limped off in Chelsea’s cup win over Brighton
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Mauricio Pochettino has sparked fresh concerns over Ben Chilwell’s fitness after revealing the Chelsea full-back was injured in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Brighton.
Nicolas Jackson’s second-half goal made the difference that evening as Chelsea secured a deserved 1-0 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues boss named a much-changed squad for the Brighton match, with minutes for Mykhailo Mudryk, Cole Palmer and £115million summer signing Moises Caicedo.
England international Chilwell also started and looked set to complete the full match before limping into worrying scenes in the final seven minutes of stoppage time.
Chilwell has struggled with injuries since moving to Chelsea from Leicester three years ago and his latest problem could mean a long spell on the sidelines, as Pochettino revealed after the match.
Ben Chilwell looks set for another long spell on the sidelines due to injury
The Chelsea full-back (right) limped off in the final minute of his side’s win over Brighton on Wednesday
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The 26-year-old was absent for a long time last season while suffering from two hamstring injuries. Pochettino revealed that he appears to have exacerbated that existing problem.
‘Is Chilwell hurt? Yes,” the Chelsea manager said after Wednesday’s home win.
“We have to assess it tomorrow but I think it is a hamstring injury,” he added.
The victory over Roberto de Zerbi’s side was only the third time since March that Stamford Bridge has witnessed a home victory in a torrid time for the club.
Todd Boehly’s deep pockets have failed to solve the club’s ongoing recruitment and performance crisis, but Pochettino believes his side can build momentum thanks to the Carabao Cup win.
‘Once again very satisfied with the performance. (I’m) happy with the win and (it’s) important to continue and build our momentum. I hope to build momentum for the future from today.
‘I am very happy when the attackers score, that is important. He had to feel it, it was an important match for him.
‘The whole team was really good. If we judge, all players were at a very good level.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that Chilwell appears to have suffered a hamstring injury