£190k-a-week star an ‘injury concern’ vs Everton

Chelsea left wing-back Ben Chilwell is unlikely to start the Blues’ Premier League opener at Everton tonight, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The £190,000 per-week star is recovering from a long term knee injury and Phillips reckons he’ll be bedded back in before earning himself a starting place.

What’s the latest news involving Chilwell?

Chilwell suffered an ACL injury last November, which kept him out of action until the final day of last season, where he made a late appearance off the bench against Watford.

However, the England international has returned to regular action in pre-season, playing at least 45 minutes in three of Chelsea’s four friendlies, which suggests that his comeback is going to plan.

The only game he missed was the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal, in which Thomas Tuchel decided to leave him on the bench after playing against Club America and Charlotte earlier that week.

Chilwell’s most recent outing was a 66-minute cameo against Udinese last Friday, the most time he’s spent on the pitch since suffering his injury.

Regardless, Phillips doesn’t expect the ex-Leicester City man to make Tuchel’s starting XI for the game at Goodison Park.

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What did Phillips say about Chilwell?

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I have heard that he’s doing alright with his recovery, but because his injury was such a big injury, he’s going to take some time to get back to where he was, so there are some concerns on that side, and I can’t see Chilwell starting against Everton.”

Who could start if Chilwell doesn’t?

Despite Chilwell likely to be Tuchel’s first choice when he gets up to scratch, the German has other options in reserve.

In that defeat to Arsenal, Emerson started, and given that he featured in every pre-season game surely brings him into the conversation for a starting place against Frank Lampard’s side.

Marc Cucurella could also be another option moving forward after he completed his move from Brighton on Friday, although his lack of training with his new teammates could see him overlooked.

That leaves Marcos Alonso as surely the favourite to start at left wing-back. The 31-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona throughout the summer window, but he’s featured heavily in pre-season and is clearly trusted by Tuchel having made 46 appearances last term.

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