Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard has confirmed that defender Kalidou Koulibaly will miss Chelsea’s league tie against Brighton and Hove Albion. The interim manager also confirmed that the UEFA Champions League return leg against Real Madrid will be too soon for the Senegalese.
During Chelsea’s 2-0 loss to Los Blancos in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal, Koulibaly, 31, strained his hamstring. And interim manager Lampard has subsequently been able to provide an update.
Speaking ahead of Brighton’s Premier League visit to the Stamford Bridge, Lampard said as reported by Football London: “He won’t be available for either game. It’s a hamstring injury and it will be a matter of weeks rather than days.”
He added: “He’s a very good, very experienced player. People talk a lot about our squad but when we haven’t got lots of cover in certain times and obviously the Champions League squad is different to the Premier League squad, of course it’s a disappointment for him and for us, but an opportunity for someone else.”
The setback at the Bernabeu marked Lampard’s second loss in as many games since returning to the Chelsea dug-out. This is troubling for the Blues who have struggled to regroup under the interim management.
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The Blues have a lot of work to do in defense because Ben Chilwell received a red card and will be unavailable for the return leg. Additionally, January addition Benoit Badiashile was not named to their Champions League squad list.
On Saturday afternoon, Brighton travels to Stamford Bridge where three points are essential to give the team a boost amid trying times.
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