CHELSEA have suffered a major injury scare on the eve of the new season after Hakim Ziyech hobbled off against Villarreal.
The forward went down moments before the break of the Uefa Super Cup in Belfast after an innocuous coming together with Juan Foyth.
DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON WITH £100,000 PRIZE POT UP FOR GRABS
The former Tottenham defender looked on bemused before concern took over as the pain soon became etched over his opponent’s face.
Ziyech was holding his right shoulder as medics raced onto the field as a lengthy absence ensued.
He appeared to be given oxygen help with the pain as the Chelsea medical team took cautious care of him before he eventually left the field.
Speaking after the penalty shootout win, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel didn’t have much of an update.
He told BT Sport: “If you take a player out during the first half it is serious.
“Unfortunately, because he is a decisive player in the last games.”
Ziyech was not taken to hospital and was later seen sat on the bench with his arm in a sling and then holding the Super Cup with one hand.
Kepa was the surprise hero in Belfast after he saved two penalties – despite not touching the ball before that.
The Spaniard had been on the bench until the very end of extra-time, when he replaced Edouard Mendy solely for the shootout.
The gamble worked as he saved from Aissa Mandi and captain Raul Albiol as Chelsea won.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET MO SALAH TO SCORE ONE OR MORE GOALS IN AUGUST AT 20/1
Earlier, the Moroccan had needed to use his Blues jersey as a sling as he hobbled from the field.
Some early speculation claimed it was a dislocated shoulder but that has yet to be confirmed.
American Christian Pulisic star came on to replace him for the final seconds of the opening period.
It proved to be a bittersweet evening for Ziyech after he had broken the deadlock on 27 minutes.
Chelsea had been knocking on the door and they finally broke it down following a well-worked move.
Marcos Alonso found Kai Havertz in space down the left and the German picked out Ziyech 12 yards out to sweep it home first-time.
Now he will be sweating even more ahead of the big Premier League kick-off this weekend as the Blues continue to close in on the signing of striker Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday but now Thomas Tuchel looks like he will be without Ziyech for the London Derby.
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
DREAM TEAM 2021/22
PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON
- £100,000 prize pot up for grabs
- £50million budget to build your best XI
- Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
- Click here to play for FREE
- Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
