Chelsea in huge blow with Thiago Silva out for up to SIX weeks as Graham Potter faces two games to save his job

THIAGO SILVA has been ruled out of Chelsea’s crucial next two matches with a knee injury… and could even miss SIX WEEKS.

The Brazilian limped off during the first half of Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham.

Silva underwent scans on Monday to assess the extent of his knee issue.

A subsequent Chelsea statement read: “Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, Thiago underwent further assessment and a scan on his return to the training centre on Monday.

“Scan results from those assessments have confirmed damage to Thiago’s knee ligaments and he will now work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation to return to action as soon as possible.”

According to The Times, scans revealed that Silva is not likely to be out for the “long-term” – but he will have to sit out of his side’s games with Leeds and Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge over the next week.

The Guardian, however, claim that Silva could even be out for up to six weeks.

The injury comes at a bad time for boss Graham Potter, who is said to be facing a “defining” week in the Blues hotseat.

Chelsea chiefs handed the former Brighton boss a four-year deal earlier this term and are determined to give him time to get it right at the Bridge.

But a horrendous run of just two wins in 16 games in all competitions, as well as particularly listless performances against Southampton and Spurs, has put Potter under immense pressure.

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Chelsea chiefs, including Todd Boehly, are aware of Arsenal’s previous struggles under Mikel Arteta, who found himself under huge pressure at various spells in his tenure.

And they are also sympathetic to the task faced by Potter, whose squad was ravaged by injuries last month – and is bloated following six January arrivals.

But should the Blues fail to pick up wins against Leeds and Dortmund, Potter could face the axe before his veteran centre-back’s return to fitness.

Silva, 38, was replaced by £70million summer signing Wesley Fofana on Sunday.

The Frenchman stepped in to partner Kalidou Koulibaly, with £35m Benoit Badiashile remaining on the bench.

Chelsea could soon be bolstered by the long-awaited return of N’Golo Kante.

The French midfielder has been missing since suffering a hamstring injury against Tottenham on August 14.

He is yet to feature under Potter, but took part in some of first team training yesterday.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk