An insight into Chelsea’s plans to help provide cover at left-wing-back whilst Ben Chilwell is out has been provided on Tuesday.

Ben Chilwell of for season

The news Chelsea fans were dreading arrived earlier today as it was reported that Ben Chilwell is now expected to be out for the rest of the season as he requires surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.

Chelsea themselves confirmed the defender is set to undergo surgery in the below statement:

After a knee injury in the match against Juventus the Chelsea medical department, in collaboration with their knee specialist, took the decision to attempt a conservative rehab approach. Unfortunately Ben was unable to progress and so collectively the decision has been taken to proceed this week with a surgical repair.


Chelsea’s plans to replace Chilwell

Ben Chilwell had been crucial to Chelsea’s impressive early-season form, scoring three and assisting one in six league outings.

And it is probably not too much of a coincidence that Chelsea’s form and ability to keep clean sheets has tailed off massively since Chilwell was sidelined.

So, it is probably a good idea on Chelsea’s part to find some cover for Chilwell in January as, even if Marcos Alonso was playing well, he cannot play every game at left-wing-back from now until the end of the campaign.

And now, Fabrizio Romano has provided an insight into Chelsea’s left-wing-back plans following the Chilwell news.

Romano reports Chelsea are considering options to replace Chilwell and have approached Everton’s Lucas Digne.

Barcelona’s Sergino Dest, who can operate on the left and right, is also said to be appreciated, whilst Nicolas Tagliafico has been discussed.

Elsewhere, Chelsea’s plan B is believed to be recalling Emerson Palmieri or Ian Maatsen.


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