Frank Lampard confirms Kalidou Koulibaly injury blow and hints at changes to his Chelsea side for Brighton clash
Posted by  badge Boss on Apr 14, 2023 - 08:07PM
Lampard will be without two defenders against Real midweek (Picture: Getty)

Kalidou Koulibaly will miss ’s clash with next week with set to give other members of his squad the chance to impress against Brighton on Saturday.

The Senegal international suffered a hamstring strain in the second-half of after competing with Rodrygo for a loose ball.

He was replaced by Marc Cucurella, for hauling him back.

With Chilwell suspended for next week’s return leg at Stamford Bridge, Lampard has confirmed another blow at the back with Koulibaly ruled out.

‘He won’t be available for either game. It’s a hamstring injury so it will be a matter of weeks,’ Lampard told a press conference on Friday.

‘He’s a very good, very experienced player.

‘People talk a lot about our squad, but when you haven’t got lots of cover in certain times and with the Champions League squad being different to the Premier League squad, it’s of course a disappointment for him and us but it’s an opportunity [for others] and we carry on and hopefully he gets fit as quick as he can.’

Koulibaly to miss Chelsea’s next two games at least (Picture: Getty)

Benoit Badiashile was not registered in Chelsea’s Champions League squad following his January arrival from Monaco and has been an unused sub in his side’s last three games, including Lampard’s first game in charge against Wolves last week.

Carney Chukwuemeka meanwhile has only made a handful of appearances off the bench since January.

Asked whether the two could feature against Brighton this weekend, Lampard insisted he is ready to hand chances to anyone who impresses in training, underlining the need for ‘freshness and energy’ against the in-form Seagulls.

‘They can’t all play, the maths don’t work,’ Lampard said. ‘First of all during the time we are here we want to win football matches because that is what is expected, firstly from ourselves but from our fans.

‘Secondly, I want to be part of a process in this period where players, if they train well and deserve it, they get the opportunity on the pitch to show what they can do.

‘Tomorrow will be an opportunity for some players who didn’t play in the Champions League. Possibly who didn’t play at the weekend too to come in because it’s a game where we absolutely need freshness and energy.’

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