Chelsea have reportedly been handed a blow after it emerged that Ben Chilwell will be absent until at least December with a hamstring injury.
The left-sided player has enjoyed a mixed start to the season, with the highlight being his promotion to vice-captain behind Reece James.
An injury to his fellow full-back has led to occasions when he has skippered the side, but he dropped out of the starting lineup in the Premier League after the international break.
Upon his return, Chilwell was on the brink of completing the EFL Cup tie with Brighton & Hove Albion in its entirety before he sustained a hamstring problem during the closing stages of the contest.
In a press conference later in the week, Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged that the England international had suffered a' bad injury' and was sidelined for the foreseeable future.
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Reports initially indicated that Chilwell would not be available for selection for approximately one month, putting him in line to return in November.
However, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 26-year-old will not be back in contention until December at the very earliest.
Romano hints that there is 'no guarantee' that Chilwell will be available again during 2023, leaving Pochettino to look elsewhere for solutions in his squad.
Levi Colwill has spent the bulk of the season at left-back, Chilwell having instead been used further down the flank in an attack-minded role.
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Pochettino is far from short of alternatives, though, with Marc Cucurella and Ian Maatsen also providing competition for places in that position.
Despite ongoing speculation regarding his long-term future, Cucurella has now become an important member of the squad, the Spaniard having been deputising at right-back in place of the injured James and suspended Malo Gusto.
Cucurella has started each of the wins over Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup and Fulham in the Premier League on Monday night, completing the 90 minutes on both occasions.
Maatsen has generally been used in a more advanced role, and as a number 10, but the Dutchman will be considered in defence should Chelsea endure further issues in that area of the pitch.
Darren Plant
