‘It’s POPPED!’: Ben Chilwell reveals injury heartbreak to Mason Mount ahead of the World Cup

Chelsea fullback Ben Chilwell told team-mate Mason Mount that his hamstring ‘snapped’ during his side’s 2-1 Champions League win against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday, threatening his chances of making it to the World Cup.

With the clock ticking and Chelsea on course for their fourth group stage win, Chilwell went down in stoppage time while holding the back of his left leg.

After treatment, Chilwell had to be helped off the field and passed by Mount who asked him what had happened. BT Sport cameras seemed to pick up on Chilwell’s reaction when he said ‘it’s popped’, leaving Mount visibly upset for the defender.

Ben Chilwell fell to Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday with a hamstring injury

Chilwell appeared to tell Mason Mount his hamstring was ‘popped’ when his teammate went to check on him

Mount looked shocked by Chilwell’s injury, and the defender is now doubtful for the World Cup

Chilwell’s words indicated that he knew he had suffered a serious injury and that after full time he was walking on crutches. Blues boss Graham Potter admitted afterwards that he was not optimistic about the 25-year-old’s speedy recovery with the World Cup less than three weeks away.

When asked if Chilwell is now a questionable case for Qatar, Potter told reporters: “I think you should say that, yes.

“Of course I don’t want to add more, but if a player pulls like he did and he felt it, it’s never positive.

‘I spoke to him briefly. He felt something when he was on his way, so he is disappointed and he is upset. It is currently not positive.

Chilwell was filmed leaving Stamford Bridge on crutches after the Champions League match

“It’s a blow to see him pull up like that. It’s not a great sight, so we keep our fingers crossed it’s not that bad if we get it scanned.”

Missing the World Cup would be a devastating blow to Chilwell after experiencing a difficult European Championship with the Three Lions last year.

He entered the tournament after winning the Champions League with Chelsea, but found himself under Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier in Gareth Southgate’s pecking order.

The left-back was then banned from England’s final group game against the Czech Republic after coming into close contact with Scottish Billy Gilmour shortly before the midfielder tested positive for Covid-19.

Gareth Southgate may now have to plan a World Cup without Chilwell after his injury

Chilwell rejoined his teammates later in the tournament, but failed to play a single minute in England’s seven games and was excluded from the match squad for the final against Italy.

He also endured an injury-hit 2021-22 campaign after tore his ACL last November, which put him out of action for five months.

England kick off their World Cup by playing Iran on November 21, and it now seems highly unlikely that Chilwell will be ready for that game after his latest setback from injury.