Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix is expected to miss an extended period after sustaining a serious hamstring injury during Wednesday's Carabao Cup penalty loss to Liverpool. According to BBC Sport, the France international could be sidelined until January, potentially ruling him out of up to 10 matches across all competitions.
The 26-year-old suffered the injury at the end of the first half when he sprinted to block a shot. Manager Xabi Alonso has been cautious about publicly discussing the severity, telling reporters before Saturday's Premier League fixture against Manchester United that Lacroix would be unavailable for several weeks and would miss the upcoming international break.
Medical examinations have reportedly confirmed a tear in Lacroix's left hamstring, according to Yahoo Sports. The injury is particularly significant given that the defender has been a cornerstone of Alonso's defensive setup since his £52m arrival from Crystal Palace in the summer. He had started 10 of Chelsea's 11 matches across all competitions this season, with only attacker Morgan Rogers appearing more frequently.
The setback represents a major blow to Chelsea's defensive plans. Alonso acknowledged the challenge when discussing alternatives, noting that Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Josh Acheampong could fill the void. However, Acheampong and fellow centre-back Jorrel Hato are also currently injured, limiting the manager's immediate options. Fofana, despite missing a penalty in the Liverpool shootout, impressed Alonso with his overall performance, described as consistent and strong.
International implications
The injury will also affect France's preparations for the November international window. RMC Sport reported that Lacroix will miss France's Nations League matches away to Italy and at home to Türkiye during the upcoming camp.
Chelsea's defensive struggles
The timing of Lacroix's absence comes as Chelsea have managed only one clean sheet in their opening eight Premier League matches this season. The club currently sits fifth in the league with 13 points, and the loss of their primary centre-back will test the depth of their defensive resources.
Alonso also provided updates on other injury concerns. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is being fitted with a special mask to continue playing while recovering from a broken jaw, while midfielder Moises Caicedo avoided injury despite concerns following the midweek clash with Liverpool.
Upcoming fixtures
Chelsea are scheduled to host Manchester United on October 31, followed by a visit to Sunderland on November 8. Lacroix's absence during this period means Alonso will need to establish defensive stability with his available personnel while the club navigates a crucial stretch of fixtures.
