Lampard confirms injury worries as Chelsea’s midfield concerns mount

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has confirmed that Willian and Mateo Kovacic both left the field against Liverpool on Tuesday with Achilles injuries.

Having scored the opener in the FA Cup fifth-round tie when his powerful shot beat Reds goalkeeper Adrian, Willian limped off after 51 minutes and was replaced by Jorginho.

The Brazilian’s withdrawal came after Kovacic went off late on in the first half, with Mason Mount coming on in his place.

“Both have got an Achilles’ issue,” Lampard told reporters (via the Evening Standard) after the Blues’ 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

“Willian hopefully is not too bad, that is what he is reporting there so we will see how he is tomorrow.

“Kovacic’s feels slightly worse. Hopefully not too drastic, so we’ll see.”

The injuries add further concerns to Chelsea in midfield, with Jorginho set to miss the next two Premier League fixtures against Everton and Aston Villa after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Furthermore, a third caution of the Champions Leauge campaign for the Italian against Bayern Munich means Jorginho will also miss the last 16 second leg against the German champions.

Willian’s injury, meanwhile, will be a blow given Lampard has already voiced concerns about his side’s recent struggles in front of goal after Marcos Alonso rescued Chelsea a point against the Cherries.

“Marcos Alonso has had a big week but I don’t want my left-back top of the scoring charts,” the manager said.

“I want our attackers scoring goals and they haven’t.”

 

 

Elsewhere, Chelsea are also currently without Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham, with Lampard confirming that Abraham is ill to add to his ankle problem.

“It’s certainly frustrating for them, particularly Christian who has had a big phase out now and is desperate to get back,” he said.

“But only the concern I have every week when they are not fit, it’s no greater than that.”

Chelsea’s injury worries in midfield could see youngster Billy Gilmour step into the fray, the 18-year-old Scotsman impressing against Jurgen Klopp’s side on Tuesday.

Indeed, Lampard was delighted at Gilmour’s “incredible” performance.