Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Chelsea FC overturned a two goal deficit in their Champions League quarterfinal clash with Paris St-Germain Tuesday evening at Stamford Bridge, and they did so without key player Eden Hazard. The Belgian started the match in his usual position left of midfield, but lasted less than 20 minutes as manager Jose Mourinho substituted him off in the 18th. The dejected Hazard was replaced by an enthusiastic Andre Schurrle, who would later score the opening goal that gave Chelsea the belief to carry on against PSG.
Per PhysioRoom.com, Manager Mourinho mentioned the forward was taken off with a calf injury, the severity of which was not clear yet. At first glance, the Belgian could be out 2 weeks, according to some.
#Mourinho its too early to know the full extent "(Hazard) was feeling something in his calf, he couldn't go on" #CFC
— PhysioRoom.com (@physioroom) April 8, 2014
Post-match Eden Hazard himself spoke to the Mirror, saying he felt something off in the pre-match warm-up and did not want to risk anything further.
"I had already felt some pain in my calf during the warming-up, I didn’t want to take a risk” – Eden Hazard in the Mirror"
If the two weeks prediction is correct, that puts Hazard out until at least the 22nd of April, meaning the star forward could miss clashes against Swansea City this Sunday and Sunderland Sunday the 20th in the Premier League alone. Should he somehow be cleared for match fitness exactly 14 days from the injury, Hazard could be ready to play in the first leg of our Champions League semi final match-up. The first legs will take place the 22nd and 23rd of April, with the 2nd legs on the 29th and 30th, we will find out who our opponent will be Friday at 6:00am EST (11:00am BST)
Should Chelsea be without Eden Hazard for the next two weeks, our Premier League title chances may be effectively zero. Manager Jose Mourinho has already said he believes the title is beyond our grasp, and if Hazard is out I’m sure most of the fans and pundits would write us off as well, as the Belgian forward leads the Blues with 16 goals across the Premier League and Champions League.
Here’s hoping the injury was minor and Eden will only miss the Swansea City match, if any!
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