Chelsea news: Fans slam Graham Potter for risking Ben Chilwell in a Champions League dead rubber

Fans have hit out at Graham Potter by blaming the Chelsea boss over the hamstring injury picked up by Ben Chilwell on Wednesday night.

Chilwell started the Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb, which the Blues won 2-1, in what was for the Blues a dead rubber game having already qualified for the last-16 as group winners.

The defender, who has been plagued with injury problems, effectively played the full 90 minutes of the match.

Graham Potter attends to Ben Chilwell at full-time as he limps off the pitch in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb

Chelsea fans reacted on social media to Potter’s choice to play Chilwell in a game that was a dead rubber for the Blues

However in the final minute of stoppage time at the end of the game, the 25-year-old pulled up clutching his hamstring near the touchline before going to ground.

With the full-time whistle blown only a few seconds later, the left-back received treatment on the pitch, with his arms placed behind his head perhaps fearing the worst over his injury.

After being helped back to his feet, he limped across the pitch heavily aided by two Chelsea medics before departing down the tunnel. He was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches.

The news is bad for Chelsea fans ahead of a big month of fixtures including a London derby at home to Arsenal this weekend, as well as England supporters with the World Cup starting in fewer than three weeks.

Chilwell picked up the hamstring injury in stoppage time of the Champions League tie

Blues followers raged on social media over Potter’s decision to risk Chilwell’s fitness in a game of such little importance.

One fan stated Chilwell should have been substituted earlier in the game: 

‘Never seen a more stupid decision from a coach. Risking extremely important but injury prone players on a pointless game. Now another bad injury to another one of the most productive players in your squad. Potter and another one of his nonsense. Chilwell should have been subbed.’

Another added: ‘Potter has a lot too answer for! Awful decision to play key players in a dead rubber, in the middle of a hectic schedule and an injury crisis #cfc’

One disgruntled fan was even left ‘angry’ with the Chelsea boss, saying: ‘I cant help but feel angry at Potter tonight, Chilly has a needless injury from a dead rubber game.. so jarring.’

The defender picked up the injury while running to chase the ball in a 50-50 battle

Other supporters meanwhile slammed Potter’s team selection, indicating other starters such as Mason Mount, Kalidou Koulibaly and substitute Thiago Silva should not have even featured. They said: ‘Utterly stupid lineup. Mount, Chilwell, Koulibaly and Silva should have been nowhere near the squad let alone line up.’

Their opinion was echoed elsewhere with another fan saying: ‘This is a game Chilwell shouldn’t have started or even played at all. He hasn’t fully regained form since his last injury and you play him in a full match in a game we’ve already qualified. Naaah! Potter’s team selection and subs were poor today. Even Mount shouldn’t have played a full match.’

Others also slammed Potter’s selection while fearing Chilwell’s long-term prospects.

One said: ‘Potter’s line up lacked courage tonight, playing such a strong team in a dead rubber. The result is the loss of an important player with injury.

A Blues fans stated after the 2-1 win: ‘Lots of positive signs, but more bitter than sweet in the end. Barring a minor miracle, Chilwell probably out till after the World Cup. Mount, Jorgi playing full 90s in a dead rubber, Sterling 83 mins. Only Potter knows if what he learnt by playing a strong team was worth the repercussions.’ 

The defender went to ground moments later in pain at the very end of the encounter

Another added: ‘Playing him in this dead rubber is on Potter though. Play stupid games win stupid prizes.

Chelsea came from behind on the night to win with Raheem Sterling ending a run of eight games without a goal, while debutant Denis Zakaria grabbed the winning goal half-an-hour into the game at Stamford Bridge.

After the game, Potter defended his selection of Chilwell, insisting it was important to get minutes into the left-back.

He said: ‘Because he didn’t play at the weekend, there was a thought he could play tonight and have enough time to recover for the weekend.

‘So we’ve tried to manage him, he’s never played the three games in a week. He’s had to have the build up which has been good for him, which is what makes it so frustrating. It’s a blow for us and a blow for him.’