Third Chelsea player 'set' to miss the rest of the season after latest injury blow

Chelsea will have to try to end the season on a high without their influential midfielder Enzo Fernandez who is set to have surgery this week, having been playing through the pain barrier in the last couple of weeks. 

According to Argentine outlet Ole, the Chelsea midfielder has been suffering from an inguinal hernia - a problem that affects the groin region between the lower abdomen and the thigh - for over a month.

Fernandez is reported to be keen on playing in the Copa America for Argentina, and doctors at Chelsea and his national team have agreed that the best chance he has is taking the surgery now which will essentially rule him out for four weeks and what is left of the season.

He joins Romeo Lavia, signed from Southampton last summer, and Wesley Fofana signed from Leicester last year, as players who have been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.

The 2022 World Cup winner missed the 6-0 win against Everton but returned to start against Manchester City at Wembley and the 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal. 

Ahead of the game against Manchester City, Chelsea boss Pochettino admitted the club would support the midfielder and do what was best to ensure he played comfortably without pain. 

Pochettino told reporters last week: “We are going to do what is the best for him. We (as a coaching staff) have experience in managing this situation. "First of all, the most important thing is him as a person, not as a player. It's about how he feels and if he is comfortable with the situation or not.” 

The Blues are back in action this weekend when they travel to Villa Park to take Aston Villa who are chasing Champions League football.