Ben Chilwell sends clear Chelsea injury message with return plan after Sheffield United

Ben Chilwell has sent a positive message to his Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana as the pair continue to work towards a return from injury. Fofana, who hasn't played a competitive game since starting France's Euro 2024 qualifying group clash against Gibraltar, could yet be out for the rest of the season.

For the Frenchman it is the third time he has picked up a serious knock since arriving at Stamford Bridge, this one promises to be the worst though. It comes after a horrid run of fitness problems for the 23-year-old that dates back all the way to knee issues whilst at Saint-Etienne as well as a broken leg at Leicester.

Now it is his ACL that could see him sit out the entirety of Mauricio Pochettino's first term in charge. The 51-year-old head coach didn't even get the chance to use Fofana in pre-season after he was ruled out for a prolonged period before the squad jetted off to America earlier this year.

Fofana is one of several long-term absentees for Chelsea as Romeo Lavia, Trevoh Chalobah and Christopher Nkunku all wait to make their first appearances of the season. Nkunku, at least, is now in contention having been named on the bench for the 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Saturday.

Chilwell himself is experiencing yet another period on the sidelines. The club vice-captain suffered a hamstring problem during the Carabao Cup third round win at Brighton in late September and as of yet there is very little to suggest he will be back in action before even February.

Alongside Reece James on the right and now Marc Cucurella there is a fully decimated backline and goalkeeper for the Blues. It is in this context that Pochettino has struggled for balance in his side as the club continue to labour in mid-table.

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