Chelsea are facing a significant defensive setback amid fears that centre-back Maxence Lacroix could be sidelined until January with a serious hamstring injury. The 26-year-old France international suffered the issue towards the conclusion of the first half during Wednesday's Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat against Liverpool, pulling up after sprinting in an attempt to block a shot. If the projected timeline is confirmed, the defender could be ruled out for as many as 10 matches.
Chelsea personnel, including manager Xabi Alonso, have been cautious regarding the specific duration of the player's recovery. Speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League home fixture against Manchester United, Alonso stated: "Max, he picked up an injury, and we expect that he's not going to be ready before the international break. So he will be a few weeks out." The loss is a major disruption for the head coach, who has started the £52m summer arrival from Crystal Palace in 10 of Chelsea's 11 fixtures across all competitions this term, with attacker Morgan Rogers being the only squad member to log more on-pitch action.
Lacroix's absence tests the depth of Chelsea's six-man central defensive contingent, where alternatives have also filled in at full-back. Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato are both currently sidelined with injuries, leaving Levi Colwill, Josh Acheampong, and Wesley Fofana as immediate central candidates. Discussing his selection options, Alonso commented: "With Max's injury, we have Wes, we have Levi [Colwill], Josh [Acheampong], he could play as well as centre-back. Jorrel when he is back with the team [is an option]. Wes has played [and] even if he missed the penalty [in the shootout], I think that he had a good game. He was consistent, he was strong and I saw many positives from his performance. We know the level that he has had and he's going to be important."
In other squad fitness news, midfielder Moises Caicedo avoided an injury following scare concerns from the midweek meeting with Liverpool, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is having a bespoke mask fitted to allow him to play while recovering from a broken jaw. The reshuffled defence will aim to tighten up for Chelsea, who currently sit fifth in the Premier League standings with 13 points from eight games, having secured only one clean sheet across that stretch.