Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell was taken off during the Premier League clash against Bournemouth with a suspected hamstring injury. The England international gestured that he had an issue with his right hamstring as he walked back towards the bench after being replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta.
Frank Lampard left out Wesley Fofana from the matchday squad as a precaution, with the Frenchman suffering from a hamstring injury prior to kick-off. It now seems Chilwell has picked up a similar problem and could miss the game against Nottingham Forest next week, with his availability for the rest of the campaign seemingly in doubt.
The Blues finally picked up all three points for the first time under Lampard as late goals from Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix sealed the win. Chelsea now move up to 11th in the table and fears over a potential relegation have been put to bed.
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Chiwell had been sidelined with a hamstring issue earlier this season which saw him miss 10 games for the Blues. If the 26-year-old is absent for the same period of time now he will be ruled out for the remainder of the season.
However, Lampard will hope that the injury is not serious in the hope of having Chilwell back before the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Azpilicueta can deputise at left-back, but with Reece James also sidelined, it means Chelsea will be without their starting full-backs.
Cucurella could also return for the clash against Forest next weekend just in time to replace Chilwell in the starting XI.
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