Kante and Chilwell both set to miss Chelsea’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United

N’Golo Kante and Ben Chilwell are set to miss Chelsea’s mouth-watering league meeting with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The duo left the field on Tuesday night with knee injuries, Chilwell had to be helped off by two medics, as the Blues thrashed Juventus 4-0 in their Champions League group match.

It’s highly unlikely either will be rushed back to face caretaker boss Michael Carrick’s troubled outfit.

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel said: “It worries me because Chilwell was in such a fantastic moment, like Reece [James] on the other side. They were in the best shape they could possibly be, so strong and so full of confidence and with such a lot of quality.

“Chilly has a sharp pain in the knee and he was in a lot of pain. Now he feels a bit better, so we will have an examination to be more precise. We hope for the best and it’s not too bad news.

“It’s the same with N’Golo. He twisted his knee a little bit but hopefully it’s not too bad. These were the only two sad things because N’Golo was again fantastic until the moment when he went off and Chilly is in a fantastic moment and is also important. Let’s hope for the best.”

Of the humiliation of ‘The Old Lady’ of Italy, Tuchel said: “It was a very strong performance and an outstanding result.

“We knew we had to be patient and at the same time be responsible for the rhythm and intensity.

“We had to take care about the details, when to accelerate the game and be sharper like in the first match, and the team did all this. It was a great performance from everybody so full credit to the players – what an effort, what an attitude.

“The way we’re playing is special, the whole group knows it.

“To score so many goals against a team who defend so well is an amazing achievement so it was a fantastic evening for us with a great result. It’s important now to enjoy it, not to get carried away but to enjoy it.”

The opening goal was scored by defender Trevoh Chalobah, who was made man of the match.

The 22-year-old said: “It’s my first-ever trophy and I’m delighted to get this, and I’m glad for the win as well.

“Our main focus was to get the win and to get the job done. We knew the problems they would cause us. We nullified them and the attack did its job.”

Describing his half-volleyed goal from close range, he said: “I just had to put as much power as I could behind my shot and that’s what I did.

“It meant a lot. When I was a young kid I used to watch the Champions League. To now be involved and get a goal is very emotional.”

Chelsea Women are back on an international break.

The Blues remain second in the Women’s Super League, a point behind Arsenal, having dispatched Birmingham 5-0 on Sunday.

England’s Millie Bright has been given the skipper’s armband for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against Austria at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Bright said: “I was a little bit stunned at first. I was just very humbled and honoured to be given that opportunity.”

She is joined in the Lionesses squad by Fran Kirby, Niamh Charles, Beth England and Jess Carter.