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Chelsea confirm Ben Chilwell will miss the World Cup after a scan revealed he had a ‘significant’ hamstring injury…
Chelsea have confirmed that Ben Chilwell has been banned from the 2022 World Cup after his scan confirmed he will be sidelined for a long period of time.
Defender Chilwell limped with a hamstring injury during the closing stages of Chelsea’s Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb.
The England left-back has since gone for a scan and the club have confirmed the extent of his injury, meaning he will miss his departure to Qatar, and possibly even a return before the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day.
Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell banned from 2022 World Cup due to injury
The left-back sustained a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s European win over Dinamo Zagreb
The 22-year-old was selected in Gareth Southgate’s preliminary 55-man squad for the big tournament and was expected to make the final 26-man squad as one of their left-back options alongside Manchester United’s Luke Shaw.
The latest injury news is yet another blow to the Three Lions, who are already sweating over the pre-tournament condition of both Reece James and Kyle Walker, while Kalvin Phillips appears to be missing out.
Leicester City’s James Justin or Tottenham Hotspur’s Ryan Sessegnon could now take advantage of Chilwell’s injury as a surprise inclusion in the squad who would be boarding a plane to Qatar in a few weeks.
Walker underwent surgery for a groin problem last month and is in a race against time to prove his fitness to Southgate.
James suffered a knee problem while playing for Chelsea against AC Milan in the Champions League, and he is not expected to be available until the final stages of the World Cup at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Phillips has been out of action since September due to an ongoing shoulder complaint but has returned to training and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is optimistic he will return in time to qualify for selection.
More to follow…