MAURICIO POCHETTINO has taken a swipe at Gareth Southgate after Ben Chilwell returned from England duty with an injury.
The Chelsea left-back is a doubt for the Blues’ clash with Burnley this weekend following a knee injury sustained with the national side.
Chilwell started both of England’s friendlies over the international break as the Three Lions took on Brazil and Belgium.
But Chelsea boss Pochettino appears to have been caught off guard by Chilwell’s game-time during the break.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the Saturday’s match against Burnley, he said: “We still need to assess a few players like Chilwell after playing two games. I think he got a knock in his knee.
“Today, he wasn’t ready to train. We will see what will happen tomorrow if he can be in the squad. Enzo [Fernandez] has still not arrived.”
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When asked if it was a surprise that Chilwell played in both friendlies, he said: “Surprised, not surprised, I don’t know.
“If he cannot play for us or be available, and because he didn’t play after Brentford with us, he only played a few minutes against Leicester in the FA Cup.
“Yes, it was a situation that he started two games, maybe it’s a surprise for us.
“But it’s bad luck because he got a dead leg in the last moment in the game against Belgium. That’s another bit of bad luck we have because we need to assess whether he can be available.”
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Chilwell has struggled with injuries since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Leicester back in 2020.
But the 27-year-old was the only fit and available out-and-out left-back in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad for the international break – meaning the England gaffer relied on him heavily as a result.
Chilwell has featured in just 12 Premier League games for Chelsea this season and was sidelined for THREE MONTHS earlier in the campaign with a hamstring issue.
The full-back isn’t the only player who is set to miss Chelsea’s match this weekend with the London club heading towards a full-blown injury crisis.
Christoper Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Levi Colwil, Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu are also out of action.
Chelsea injury list
Christopher Nkunku – Hamstring, unknown return date
Romeo Lavia – Thigh, out for the season
Reece James – Hamstring, April return
Levi Colwill – Toe, 1-2 weeks
Robert Sanchez – Knee
Trevoh Chalobah
Wesley Fofana – Knee
Carney Chukwuemeka – Ankle
Lesley Ugochukwu – Hamstring
Ben Chilwell – Knee
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
