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

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

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

The defender, who has been plagued by injury problems, played in practice the full 90 minutes of the match.

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

With the full-time whistle blown just seconds later, the left-back received treatment on the pitch, with his arms behind his head perhaps fearing the worst for his injury.

After being helped to his feet, he limped across the pitch heavily with the help of two Chelsea doctors before heading 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 games including a London derby at home to Arsenal this weekend, as well as England supporters with the World Cup starting in less than three weeks.

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

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

“Never seen a dumber decision from a manager. Risking extremely important but injury prone players on a pointless game. Now another bad injury to one of the most productive players in your team. Potter and another of his nonsense. Chilwell should have been subordinated.

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

One disgruntled fan even got ‘angry’ at the Chelsea boss, saying: “I can’t help but feel mad at Potter tonight, Chilly has an unnecessary injury from a dead rubber match… so bad.”

Other supporters, meanwhile, hit out at Potter’s team selection, suggesting other starters such as Mason Mount, Kalidou Koulibaly and substitute Thiago Silva should not even have been included. They said: ‘Absolutely stupid line-up. Mount, Chilwell, Koulibaly and Silva should not have been anywhere near the squad let alone feature.

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 recovered since his last injury and you play him for a full game in a game we’ve already qualified. Naah! Potter’s team selection and subs were poor today. Even Mount shouldn’t have played a full game.’

Others also criticized Potter’s selection while fearing for 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 to injury.

A Blues fans said after the 2-1 win: ‘Lots of positive signs, but more bitter than sweet in the end. Barring a minor miracle, Chilwell is probably out until after the World Cup. Mount, Jorgi plays the whole 90s in a dead rubber, Sterling 83 min. Only Potter knows if what he learned playing a strong team was worth the repercussions.

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 winner 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 at left-back.

He said: ‘Because he didn’t play this weekend there was a thought that 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 that’s been good for him, which is what makes it so frustrating. It’s a blow to us and a blow to him.