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Chelsea blow with Mateo Kovacic forced off injured just 25 minutes into FA Cup semi against Crystal Palace with injury


CHELSEA lost star midfielder Mateo Kovacic after just 25 minutes of their FA Cup semi-final win over Crystal Palace after he suffered a suspected ankle injury. 

The 27-year-old was replaced with Ruben Loftus-Cheek by Blues boss Thomas Tuchel as a result.

Kovacic collapsed to the floorCredit: Getty
He was taken off in the 25th minuteCredit: Getty

The Chelsea midfielder complained about the injury earlier in the match but decided to try and play on, but eventually succumbed to the pain.

He dropped down to signal he could not continue any further and was taken off by his manager.

The former Real Madrid man may now miss the clash with Arsenal on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.

This isn’t the first time the Chelsea man has suffered an injury for the club.

The Croatian he has had a number of injuries over the years.

These include muscle problems, a rupture of the patella, a knee injury and many others.

Despite making 40 appearances in all competitions this term, he was absent for nearly two months earlier in the campaign.

Chelsea managed to make it to half-time against Crystal Palace without his absence affecting them too much – with the score 0-0 at the break.

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Chelsea would then go on to win the game 2-0 – with Kovacic’s replacement Loftus-Cheek breaking the deadlock before Mason Mount put the match beyond doubt.

Ironically this comes a year after he missed the FA-Cup semi win over Manchester City.

On that occassion it was a hamstring injury.


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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