How Chelsea could line-up against Manchester United after injury blow to Ben Chilwell

Chelsea hoping to beat Manchester United in the league for the first time in seven attempts.
Rahman Osman
By Rahman Osman
Published 26th Nov 2021, 16:52 BST
Updated 28th Nov 2021, 07:00 BST
Ben Chilwell of Chelsea is helped off the pitch during the UEFA Champions League group H match (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Ben Chilwell of Chelsea is helped off the pitch during the UEFA Champions League group H match (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Ben Chilwell of Chelsea is helped off the pitch during the UEFA Champions League group H match (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has ruled out left-wing back Ben Chilwell for the game against Manchester United and says it will take a miracle to get N’Golo Kante fit also.

Chilwell had to be helped out of the pitch by members of the Chelsea medical team after appearing to damage his ACL.

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The initial diagnosis is not looking good and the English left-back could be out for the rest of the season if he does not respond positively to the “conservative” treatment Chelsea are adopting.

However there is some good news for Chelsea fans as Kante’s knee injury does not look too serious even though he will almost be performing a miracle if he were to return in time to play a part in Sunday’s top liner against Manchester United.

Timo Werner of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side’s fourth goal with team mates (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Timo Werner of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side’s fourth goal with team mates (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Timo Werner of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side’s fourth goal with team mates (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Those last injuries add to existing concerns over returning striker Romelu Lukaku and German forward Kai Havertz who watched from home as Chelsea put up a brilliant performance to batter giants Juventus 4-0 in the Champions League.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said: "Ben is out, he has a partial injury of his ACL, and the decision is to treat it conservatively.

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“The next six weeks will tell the story if he makes it and is available or if he will need surgery.

"He is actually very positive, I spoke to him a few minutes ago. His body has reacted positively to the first treatments.

“After a while you have to refocus and focus on the positive things which are the next weeks and do everything that is possible so that he can get back on the pitch and help us again."

“For N’golo he got stronger and stronger against Juventus but ended up twisting his knee so we had to take him off but hopefully it’s not too bad but it will take a miracle for him to be able to play on Sunday.”

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So with injuries to key members of Tuchel’s starting eleven here is how the German tactician could line-up against Manchester United on later today.

Possible starting eleven:

Edouard Mendy, Cesar Azpilicueta, Reece James, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rüdiger, Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Timo Werner

Stats ahead of Chelsea v Manchester United:

  • Chelsea have failed to score in their last four league games against Manchester United 
  • Chelsea is the only Premier League club to have a better head-to-head against Manchester United. Having won 18 and lost 17 of their previous league encounters. 
  • Chelsea have failed to beat Manchester United in their past two years in the Premier League.
Related topics:Ben ChilwellChelseaManchester UnitedRomelu Lukaku

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