Mauricio Pochettino has sparked fresh concerns over Ben Chilwell’s fitness after revealing the Chelsea full-back was injured in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Bournemouth.
Nicolas Jackson’s second-half strike was the difference on the night as Chelsea fired themselves to a deserved 1-0 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues boss named a much-changed side as he sought to hand more starting minutes to Mykhailo Mudryk, Cole Palmer and £115m summer arrival Moises Caicedo.
England international Chilwell also started and looked set to complete a full-match outing before limping off in the final of seven minutes of stoppage time in worrying scenes.
Chilwell has struggled with injuries since moving to Chelsea from Leicester three-years ago and his latest problem could force a long spell on the side-lines as revealed by Pochettino after the game.
Ben Chilwell looks set for another extended spell on the side-lines caused by injury
The Chelsea full-back (right) limped off in the last minute of his side’s win over Brighton on Wednesday
The 26-year-old was absent for large stints of last season while nursing two hamstring injuries, and Pochettino revealed it looks as if he has aggravated that existing problem.
‘Is Chilwell injured? Yes,’ said the Chelsea manager after Wednesday’s home win.
‘We need to assess it tomorrow but I think it is hamstring,’ he added.
Victory over Roberto de Zerbi’s side was just the third time since March that Stamford Bridge has witnessed a home win during what has been a torrid time for the club.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Chilwell appears to have suffered a hamstring injury
Todd Boehly’s deep pockets have failed to solve the ongoing recruitment and performance crisis at the club, but Pochettino believes his side can build momentum off the back of their Carabao Cup win.
‘Very pleased with the performance again. (I am) happy for the victory and (it is) important to go through and build our momentum. I hope to build momentum for the future from today.
‘Very pleased when the strikers score, it’s important. He needed to feel the net, it was an important game for him.
‘All the team was really good. If we assess, all the players were in a very good level.
