JOSE MOURINHO HAS revealed Thibaut Courtois faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury during training this week.
The Belgian goalkeeper will now need surgery on his right knee and will be out of action for a considerable period.
Courtois sustained the injury at Chelsea’s Cobham training base ahead of the Blues’ trip to Everton this weekend.
“Courtois was injured in a training session with the goalkeepers and I cannot tell you much, but I can tell you that he needs surgery in his right knee,” Mourinho said at his pre-game press conference.
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“As a consequence of that he will be out for quite a long time. I cannot be at this moment more specific about the injury or the time he will be out.”
It’s not yet known how long Courtois will be sidelined for and Mourinho was unwilling to speculate as to the length of time he will be without his number one goalkeeper.
“I just know that he will be out for some time,” The Chelsea boss added.
“I will wait for [Chelsea medical director] Doctor Biosca to be more specific after surgery and I think today we will be ready to give some more information.
“It’s a big blow but you will not see me next week speaking again about Thibaut. If he is injured, he is injured.”
Asmir Begovic – a summer arrival from Stoke – will deputise but the Bosnian has already played two games for his new club following Courtois’ red card in the draw with Swansea.
Although Mourinho has backed Begovic to slot in, it represents another setback for the champions as they look to ignite their season after a stuttering start.
Chelsea have just four points on the board from their opening four games and are currently eight points behind Manchester City.
They face Everton in the weekend’s early kick-off tomorrow.
Training ground injury rules one of Chelsea's key players out for lengthy period
JOSE MOURINHO HAS revealed Thibaut Courtois faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury during training this week.
The Belgian goalkeeper will now need surgery on his right knee and will be out of action for a considerable period.
Courtois sustained the injury at Chelsea’s Cobham training base ahead of the Blues’ trip to Everton this weekend.
“Courtois was injured in a training session with the goalkeepers and I cannot tell you much, but I can tell you that he needs surgery in his right knee,” Mourinho said at his pre-game press conference.
“As a consequence of that he will be out for quite a long time. I cannot be at this moment more specific about the injury or the time he will be out.”
It’s not yet known how long Courtois will be sidelined for and Mourinho was unwilling to speculate as to the length of time he will be without his number one goalkeeper.
“I just know that he will be out for some time,” The Chelsea boss added.
“I will wait for [Chelsea medical director] Doctor Biosca to be more specific after surgery and I think today we will be ready to give some more information.
“It’s a big blow but you will not see me next week speaking again about Thibaut. If he is injured, he is injured.”
Asmir Begovic – a summer arrival from Stoke – will deputise but the Bosnian has already played two games for his new club following Courtois’ red card in the draw with Swansea.
Although Mourinho has backed Begovic to slot in, it represents another setback for the champions as they look to ignite their season after a stuttering start.
Chelsea have just four points on the board from their opening four games and are currently eight points behind Manchester City.
They face Everton in the weekend’s early kick-off tomorrow.
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Chelsea Thibaut Courtois Under the knife