Chelsea suffer another injury in home defeat to Southampton

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has been dealt another defensive woe after captain Cesar Azpilicueta was stretchered off in Saturday’s Premier League match against Southampton.

Whilst the likes of Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Ben Chilwell have been ruled out of action through injury for large parts of the season, it now appears that Azpilicueta is set for a spell on the sidelines.

In an attempt to defend Sekou Mara’s overhead kick, the Spaniard took a heavy boot to the face inside his own penalty area and instantly dropped to the floor. Club doctors and medical staff were immediately called onto the field as players gathered around closely.

Describing the incident on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson stated: “He [Azpilicueta] took it right in the face and everyone straight away has come over. This doesn’t look great. This is a worry. It was an overhead kick and he [Mara] did it accidentally.”

Azpilicueta’s name then rung around Stamford Bridge before fans sang ‘he has won it all’ following initial applause. He was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Trevoh Chalobah in the 84th minute.