Ben Chilwell claims he will ‘work like a beast’ to come back from long-term ACL injury that will rule the Chelsea defender out for the rest of the season as he posts Instagram snap of himself post-operation
- Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is set to miss the rest of the season through injury
- The 25-year-old picked up an ACL setback in November’s win over Juventus
- Chilwell posted a picture of him on Instagram after his operation on Thursday
- The left-back claims he will ‘work like a beast’ to come back and help the Blues
Ben Chilwell has vowed to ‘work like a beast’ to recover from a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury that is set to rule the Chelsea defender out for the rest of the season.
The 25-year-old picked up the setback during a Champions League clash with Juventus at the end of November but the Blues only decided to put him into surgery this month after hopes he would not need a procedure vanished.
Chilwell posted an image of him with his crutches after the operation on Thursday with the left-back feeling ‘very positive’ after going under the knife.
Ben Chilwell has revealed he will ‘work like a beast’ from his ACL injury after his operation
Chilwell limped out of Chelsea’s win over Juventus in November after picking up the knee blow
He captioned the post: ‘Hi guys. Just wanted to let everyone know i am on the way home from a successful op.
‘I feel very positive and motivated to work like a beast to get back on the pitch with my boys soon and help this great club win more trophies. Thank you all for the support and nice messages.’
Chilwell was in fine form for Chelsea before picking up his injury, scoring in his first three Premier League starts of the season in a left wing-back position against Southampton, Brentford and Norwich.
His form for Chelsea earned him a recall into the England squad after he was dropped by Gareth Southgate in September – and he scored for the Three Lions in a 5-0 win over Andorra in October.
Chilwell (left) was in fine form for club and country before getting the setback in November
Chilwell will definitely miss some England friendlies in March and is a doubt for his country’s Nations League campaign in June, but should be available for World Cup selection providing there are no further setbacks.
Chelsea planned to assess the left-back’s situation after the Juventus injury in the New Year, but that process was delayed when Chilwell caught Covid-19 earlier this month, adding 10 days to his rehab.
The defender’s absence means Marcos Alonso is Tuchel’s only remaining senior option in the left wing-back position. Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Saul Niguez have deputised in the role but are all out of position there.
The injury means Marcos Alonso (left) is Chelsea’s only recognised senior left-back at the club
Sportsmail revealed this week that Tuchel may seek a new left back for the rest of the campaign and Lucas Digne of Everton and Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico have emerged as targets.
Reports also claim that Lyon have rejected Chelsea’s request to recall loanee left-back Emerson Palmieri, while Coventry City’s Ian Maatsen is another left-back currently away from the club on a temporary basis.
Chelsea are also undergoing an injury crisis which was worsened when fellow defenders Reece James and Andreas Christensen limped out of the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Brighton on Wednesday night.
Tuchel also has Timo Werner still struggling with coronavirus, while Thiago Silva is currently sidelined with an injury sustained in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
