Ben Chilwell feared to be out for 'large chunk' of season with hamstring injury as World Cup hopes end

Ben Chilwell could miss a large portion of the 2022/23 season due to a hamstring injury, according to reports.

The 25-year-old pulled up in huge discomfort holding his left hamstring in the closing moments of their 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night in the Champions League.

Chilwell was carried off the pitch down the tunnel at full-time by the Chelsea medical team, with his teammates coming over one by one to console him.

Graham Potter confirmed Chilwell was left ‘disappointed and upset’ by the injury which has come just one week before Gareth Southgate is due to announce his 26-man England squad for the World Cup.

“Not great,” said Potter on Chilwell post-match. “Obviously, when he pulls up like that it’s a concern. Obviously, we need to scan it but it’s not positive at the moment.

“It’s a blow for us on an otherwise positive evening. To see him pull up like that, it’s not a great sight.

"So fingers crossed when we get it scanned it isn’t too bad. It can be not as severe but we have to cross our fingers at the moment. But clearly, we’re disappointed.”

Chilwell is set to undergo scans on Thursday and could find out the extent of the injury within the next 24 hours, according to Andy Dillon of The Sun.

He claims that it’s set to be bad news for the England international, with Chilwell likely to miss the World Cup and possibly a ‘large chunk’ of the season.

‘There is a suspicion’ Chilwell may have ‘torn the hamstring muscle which is more serious than a routine pull’.

The Chelsea defender is reported to have told friends that he felt a pop when pulling up on Wednesday night.

A full diagnosis is due, and Chelsea and Chilwell will be hoping their worst fears aren’t confirmed.

Chilwell has been offered the support by several of his Chelsea teammates, including Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Conor Gallagher.

Mount said: "We don’t know how bad it is but that was tough to watch. We saw his reaction and that never looks good. As soon as you feel something and to not even think about the ball, it’s tough.

"We know what’s coming up, hopefully it’s not too bad and he can be back as soon as possible because we need him as well."

Gallagher added: "It's really disappointing, we are hoping that it's not too bad. We'll have to see how it is."

Pulisic finished: "You never like to see anyone go down with injuries. For Chilly, we're hoping that it's a quick one and not as bad as we think. Of course, we want everyone to be healthy and have an opportunity for that (World Cup)."