The Chelsea defender left Stamford Bridge on crutches.
Ben Chilwell pulled up in the final minute of stoppage time in Chelsea’s win against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night.
The 25-year-old received treatment after the full-time whistle and then left Stamford Bridge on crutches.
After the game, Chelsea boss Potter admitted that his injury didn’t look good. He said: “When a player pulls up like he did, it’s never positive.”
His injury comes at a costly time with the World Cup around the corner and as Gareth Southgate prepares to name his squad next week, Chilwell is now at risk of missing out entirely. Potter confirmed that Chilwell will have a scan on his hamstring though a pull generally takes five to six weeks, and the sight of Chilwell placing no weight on his leg after the game doesn’t bode well.
🚨 Ben Chilwell is an injury concern for the World Cup after leaving Stamford Bridge last night on crutches. pic.twitter.com/mUd0YXrnhj
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 3, 2022
Some fans had criticised Potter for playing Chilwell so close to the World Cup, given his recent injury struggles, but what a laughable argument that is. Chilwell hasn’t had too much game-time recently and if anything, he would have been thanking his manager for giving him a chance to prove his fitness.
England’s first group game is against Iran on Monday November 21.
Meanwhile, on a more positive note for Potter and Chelsea; Denis Zakaria impressed on his starting debut, and even scored the winning goal.
“I thought he was really good,” said Potter.
“You can see what he brings, the quality he has and he played with enthusiasm.”
Elsewhere, Potter had been criticised for deploying Raheem Sterling as wing back but the manager denied that this was the case.
“Whenever we have played Raheem Sterling we try to get him as high as we can.
“He has only ever needed to defend against the full-backs so it was a slight change in terms of the back four behind him but not too much change.”
"Why, for the life of me, would you play him as a left back?!"
Clinton Morrison says Graham Potter should play Raheem Sterling in a more attacking position… 👀 pic.twitter.com/b4mC8Tanv2
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 2, 2022
