Frank Lampard confirms that Kalidou Koulibaly is out “for weeks rather than days”
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has confirmed that defender Kalidou Koulibaly is out for a few weeks after picking up a hamstring injury against Real Madrid.
In the second half of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday, Koulibaly had to sprint back to stop Rodrygo from potentially going in.
Once he completed that recovery run, his hand went down to feel his hamstring. Minutes later, the Senegal captain asked to be substituted. Things did not look great at the time, hence Lampard’s confirmation on the timescale was on the expected lines.
Here’s what the boss said (h/t Chelsea FC website):
“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’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.”
After a stuttering start to life at Stamford Bridge, Koulibaly was slowly returning to his best. At this point in the season where there are not a lot of games left, an injury like this may mean the defender won’t be able to play much part in how this campaign ends for Chelsea.
Because we have a mammoth squad, replacing the 31-year-old won’t be a problem. Benoit Badiashile, who isn’t registered in the Champions League squad, may come in and do a job, while the likes of Marc Cucurella, Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana can take up the mantle to play the second leg against Real Madrid next Tuesday.
In a season that has been underwhelming, to put it mildly, getting injuries to key players does not help the cause. Koulibaly is still one of the best around when it comes to defending one-on-one situations and accelerating to make recovery tackles whenever necessary.
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But, as Lampard said, it is now an opportunity for someone else to step up and show what he can do. Remember, with heavy offloading of players expected in the summer, the ones that do well now may well be kept to start the next season.
