‘Totally disagree’: TalkSPORT pundit says Graham Potter should never have started £50m player for Chelsea

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Andy Goldstein argued that Ben Chilwell should never have been picked to play for Chelsea against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.

Goldstein contended his point with Darren Bent on talkSPORT following the hamstring injury Chilwell picked up mid-week.

Another injury blow for Chilwell

The defender could reportedly be out for up to 8-12 weeks, meaning the World Cup is almost certainly off the cards.

This is another major blow for the full-back, who missed a majority of last season due to an injury also sustained on a Champions League evening.

He was forced off early against Juventus last November, a game that Chelsea won 4-0 to secure their place in the knock-out rounds.

Defeating Dinamo 2-1 at the start of this month was a welcome win after losing to Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, with Graham Potter’s side already through to the round of 16, some questioned his strong team selection, that included the likes of Chilwell.

Especially now the England international is set for a period on the side-lines, an avoidable scenario had he been rested by the Blues manager.

Pundits argue Chilwell’s inclusion

“He didn’t need to be playing,” disputed Goldstein on the left-back’s inclusion against Dinamo.

“Mason Mount didn’t need to be playing. You’ve got players like (Armando) Broja, (Carney) Chukwuemeka who are desperate for game time. Give them game time.”

“I totally disagree with that,” replied Bent.

“I think the manager first and foremost has the right who to pick.

“But Chilwell, he’s had his injuries, but he needs his minutes. He’s trying to get him up to speed.”

It is true that Chilwell has needed minutes under the belt to complete his recovery from the previous injury that kept up on the treatment table for nearly nine months.

His inclusion from the first whistle versus Dinamo was just his eighth of the campaign, having been used sparingly by Thomas Tuchel.

With Potter in charge, the £50m (Sky Sports) signing from Leicester City looked set for a rejuvenation.

Disappointingly, that reconstruction will have to wait while.