Thomas Tuchel has been handed an injury headache at the heart of his defence after losing Thiago Silva against Tottenham.
The experienced Brazilian was excelling in his role during the first half in north London but was forced off with an apparent leg injury after stretching to intercept a pass.
That could cause a problem heading into the coming weeks, with Chelsea due for a stern test in the Champions League against La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
To make matters worse, the Blues are already without Kurt Zouma and it leaves just Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen as the two recognised central defenders in the senior squad - though Tuchel has predominantly played a three-man defensive line, with Cesar Azpilicueta slotting into a central role.
Fans were quick to focus on the problem, as they surged to social media to express their concern and identified just how big a loss the absence of the former Paris Saint-Germain man will be.
They are all hoping that Silva will be able to feature against Diego Simeone's side later this month in the Spanish capital.
Chelsea still have a number of Premier League matches to navigate before that clash, against Sheffield United, Newcastle and Southampton, as well as the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Barnsley.
With the packed schedule continuing with games at the weekend and in midweek right up until that clash, it leaves the Blues in a precarious position.
Further defensive injuries would leave Tuchel with a huge problem on his hands and would likely result in questions regarding Fikayo Tomori's move to AC Milan in January.
