Ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Real Madrid, manager Frank Lampard will have to navigate without a major defensive absentee, after Kalidou Koulibaly skipped training in the latest Chelsea injury update to come out of Cobham today.
The Blues, who managed to put an end to their worst goalless run since 1993 over the weekend, still fell to defeat at home to Brighton, meaning they are now without a win in their previous six and condemned to another week in the Premier League‘s bottom half
After falling to a 2-0 defeat in Madrid last week against a Real side who also looked slightly off-colour themselves, Chelsea face the tall order of attempting to overturn a two goal deficit against the reigning champions.
Although they have welcomed back N’Golo Kante in recent weeks, as well as Kai Havertz who is expected return after sitting out the fixture against Brighton, Lampard will more than likely have to turn to Trevor Chalobah and Wesley Fofana, with Kalidou Kouliably absent from training on Monday.
The 31 year-old was forced off in the first-leg after picking up a hamstring injury while tracking back to deny Rodrygo, and the Chelsea boss confirmed that he will be ruled out for at least the next couple of weeks.
“A hamstring injury, it will be a matter of weeks rather than days,” Lampard said.
“He’s a very good, very experienced player. It’s a disappointment for him and for us, but opportunity and we carry on without him. Hopefully, he gets fit as quick as he can.”
Elsewhere, Ruben Loftus-Cheek was spotted in training after sitting out the defeat to Brighton, but the Blues will still be without long-term absentees Edouard Mendy, who is still returning to full fitness, as well as Cesar Azpilicueta and Armando Broja.
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