Chilwell could miss rest of the season with ACL injury in major blow for Chelsea

Chelsea's Ben Chilwell could miss the rest of the season having suffered an ACL injury that could cut his campaign short.

The left-back underwent a scan on Wednesday as an assessment is made on potential surgery.

The Blues are stalling on the decision as they want to see if the injury will heal naturally, but another scan, likely to be in the New Year, will decide whether or not he has to face surgery.

Should the latter come to fruition then Chilwell, who has fought his way back into the first team this term, would miss the remainder of the season, reports the Telegraph.

The England defender had been battling with Spaniard Marcos Alonso ever since Thomas Tuchel took charge.

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Chilwell sustained his injury during Tuesday's Champions League win over Juventus and will miss the remainder of this calendar year.

He posted on Instagram after the game and said: "Hopefully injury isn't too bad".

It means Alonso is likely to occupy the wing-back role for the foreseeable. Saul Niguez, who has struggled to settle since his summer loan move, has also played their previously for Atletico Madrid.

Tuchel was quizzed on possibly losing Chilwell and said: "It worries me because he was in such a fantastic moment like Reece (James) on the other side.

"They were in the best shape they could possibly be, so strong, full of confidence and such a lot of quality."

Chilwell has also found his scoring boots this term, netting the winner against Brentford back in October.

That is one of three Premier League goals scored by the former Leicester man after he also bagged against Southampton and Norwich.

Chilwell's injury will also keep Gareth Southgate on his toes. The Chelsea star was selected for Euro 2020, although Luke Shaw remained the first pick.

Kieran Trippier can also play in that position, but Chilwell's lengthy absence is not ideal ahead of the World Cup in Qatar next winter.

The Chelsea left-back was quizzed on his international rivalries earlier this season, but claimed they spur him on.

He said: "When you've got someone in the same position as you, it doesn't have to be; 'Ah, you're enemies'.

"You're fighting for the same shirt - but you can be friends. It's the same as me and Luke with England.

"We are very good friends when we're here. I'd even go as far as to say he's one of my good friends in the team."