Chelsea concluded their Champions League group stage with a home win over Dinamo Zagreb but the win was overshadowed by an injury to Ben Chilwell.
The left-back limped off near the end of the encounter after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury. His emotional response suggested that he now fears he may miss this month’s World Cup for England.
It was a night of mixed emotions for the Blues who got back to winning ways after Saturday’s nightmare at Brighton but the injury to Chilwell has left a sour note. Mirror Football rounds up the headlines from Stamford Bridge for Thursday, 3 November.
Chilwell’s injury heartbreak
Ben Chilwell looks set to miss the World Cup for England after suffering a hamstring injury against Dinamo Zagreb. The incident happened in injury time at the end of the match, with the wing-back unable to walk off the pitch.
Chilwell’s emotional reaction to the injury does not bode well and with the World Cup less than three weeks away – he runs the risk of missing the tournament entirely as he must recuperate.
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When asked if Chilwell may miss the World Cup, Graham Potter replied : “I think you’d have to say so, yes. I don’t want to add any more than that but when a player pulls up like he did after he felt it, it’s never positive. I spoke to him briefly. He just felt something as he was setting off. He is disappointed and upset.”
Read more on Chilwell’s injury
Hazard’s thoughts on Blues return
Eden Hazard established himself as a Premier League during a glittering seven-year career at the Blues, and he has been linked with a return to the division.
The Belgian international’s career at Real Madrid has not gone to plan since joining Real Madrid in 2019 in a club record move. He has now been linked with a move to Premier League side Aston Villa, now managed by Unai Emery.
However, Hazard has already spoken about a potential return to the league and specifically to Stamford Bridge – where he remains adored by the club’s fans. He spoke earlier this year about the possibility of a return and it looks like he is intent on staying in the Spanish capital.
Read more on Hazard’s thoughts here
Potter’s praise for Zakaria
Chelsea boss Graham Potter was delighted with Denis Zakaria’s long-awaited debut for the club – almost three months after joining the club.
The Swiss international midfielder was signed on loan from Juventus by Thomas Tuchel in the summer but had to wait until the clash against Dinamo Zagreb to make his first appearance – which he marked with a goal.
Potter said on his debutant: "I thought he was really good. You can see what he brings, the quality he has and he played with enthusiasm. He had good discipline and got forward when he could. I was really impressed with him. He certainly did more than we asked which was to give us competition there. He did everything he could. He helped the team and scored - a great debut."
