Chelsea star Ben Chilwell is set to miss the rest of the season after the decision was made for him to have major knee surgery.
The 25-year-old suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in the Blues' 4-0 Champions League thrashing of Juventus at Stamford Bridge in November.
It was hoped that Chilwell would be able to avoid going under the knife but, as per Goal, Chelsea have ended his initial rehabilitation journey and opted for surgery.
The former Leicester City left-back had recently regained his place in the England squad before his lay-off and had taken Marcos Alonso's place in Thomas Tuchel's starting XI.
But now Chilwell will have to start from scratch next term in a blow to the Blues' Premier League title hopes.
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Despite having Alonso, Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic available as cover, Chilwell's long-term absence could see Chelsea delve into the January window for a true replacement.
To help cope with an ongoing injury crisis, it is added that Tuchel will block any loan moves for left-sided defender Malang Sarr.
Emerson Palmieri is currently on loan at Lyon but the terms of his deal may not allow the Blues to recall the Italian.
Everton's Lucas Digne has already been touted as a potential signing, having fallen out of favour with Rafael Benitez in recent weeks.
After not featuring for England throughout Euro 2020, Chilwell's club campaign began in a similar fashion, leading to an "honest conversation" with Tuchel, who had suggested that "mental fatigue" was preventing the defender from being his best.
"I think it wasn't so much mental fatigue," Chilwell said in response. "I think it was more I was so eager to get back playing football, it was maybe coming across that I wanted it a bit too much.
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"Me and the manager at Chelsea had a very honest conversation where he did say to me: 'You know, I feel like mentally at the moment you're just, in training, you're pushing a bit too much to try and get back in the team.
"We love you here, we know the qualities you possess. Just relax a little bit. You're going to get back in.'
"For me, that was brilliant to hear - and then it was just about being patient and making sure that I was ready so that when I was called upon to play, I could do my best for the team."
