Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.
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The 31-year-old picked up the injury in Serbia’s 2-0 win over Albania in their Euro 2016 qualifier last Thursday, and could now be out of action for up to three weeks, according to a report in England’s Mail Online.
Ivanovic, who has attracted criticism for his performances this season, will certainly miss Saturday’s home match against Aston Villa and could be unavailable for as long as a month.
Despite usually being a dependable and commanding presence at Stamford Bridge, vice-captain Ivanovic’s form has been poor this season and many Chelsea fans have questioned his place in the side. “He had no pre-season with us”.
The most likely scenario will see Cesar Azpilicueta switch from left-back to fill Ivanovic’s role, with summer-signing Baba Rahman then coming in to the first team. The 21-year-old Ghanaian has only started against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League and against Walsall in the Capital One Cup since his arrival. If you don’t have a minimum of five tall players good in the air, you are dead on set pieces.
It seems Jose Mourinho is set to bank on Zouma’s Premier League experience against Villa and play him as the right back.
Another option would be France youngster Kurt Zouma playing at right-back.
Zouma, who has played in central defence this season and featured in midfield last term, can operate at full-back and may now deputise, with Gary Cahill – rested for England’s trip to Lithuania given recent back problems – and John Terry retained in the centre. “I’ve played there occasionally”.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the club’s players have publically backed Mourinho since the Southampton defeat, but he knows he can not afford another embarrassing loss to relegation candidates Villa.
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The fact the Portuguese appeared to attempt to disguise his appearance by wearing a hood has also resulted in speculation that he was watching transfer targets ahead of the January window.
