Chelsea manager Graham Potter has confirmed that Thiago Silva will be absent for around six weeks after picking up a knee injury.
Silva has been a key part of Potter’s side this season. Since the Englishman’s appointment, he has missed just five games, of which they have won just one and lost three.
Last weekend, the Brazilian was substituted off after 19 minutes, having sustained an injury in the Blues’ defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur. Shortly afterwards, scans showed that he had sustained ligament damage.
The extent of the injury has now been revealed. As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Potter said: “Thiago Silva will be out around six weeks, not sure exactly.”
Chelsea have four fixtures before the international break. They welcome relegation strugglers Leeds United to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Mason Mount and Reece James are also injury doubts for the game.
During the week, they will face Borussia Dortmund for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. The first leg finished 1-0 to the Bundesliga side, thanks to Karim Adeyemi’s second-half strike.
They also have upcoming league games against Leicester City and Everton. Chelsea defeated both teams earlier in the season, although that was under previous manager Thomas Tuchel.
Potter will be hoping that Silva is available for April’s fixtures. The south-west Londoners have seven league fixtures next month, as well as a potential Champions League quarter-final tie.
In his absence, it will be down to Benoit Badiashile, Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah to fill in. Captain Cesar Azpilicueta remains ruled out following his concussion against Southampton.
