Chelsea have been dealt a major blow with the news that striker Fernando Torres will miss up to 3 weeks of action after suffering an ankle injury in the 4-0 win over Steaua Bucharest. The Spaniard started this match in anticipation of the ban, which will make him miss the match against Norwich. The likes of Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o will be fit strikers for Chelsea over the next few weeks. After starting the match following an impressive performance over Tottenham, Torres suffered an injury early in the first half. He had to be substituted by Cameroon international Eto’o.
The 29-year-old underwent scans in order to determine the extent of the injury. It could have been very worse for Chelsea, who had lost the services of Marco van Ginkel for the rest of the season only recently. However, scans have revealed that has suffered injury to his medical ligaments and will be out for only about three weeks. The injury blow is also softened by the fact that the international matches will take place over the next two weeks. Ideally, he would miss matches against Cardiff and Schalke after the international break.
Mourinho said that it was disappointing news for the striker, who looked like his old self against Tottenham during the weekend.
‘Chelsea Football Club can confirm Fernando Torres suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee in the Champions League group game at Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday evening. The 29-year-old will be out for approximately three weeks,’ read a statement on the official website of the club. ‘I hope he gets well soon for me, for him and for the team because I think he is going to be a very important player for us,’ said his club and international teammate Juan Mata after the news.