John Terry set for a lengthy lay-off due to mystery nerve problem
Published:Having scored 19 goals in their opening five games, Chelsea have only managed seven goals in their last eight games and the shock defeat at home to Sunderland suggests Carlo Ancelotti’s side are in a slump.
The Chelsea faithful will not welcome the news that John Terry is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after witnessing the centre-back pairing of Branislav Ivanovic and Paolo Ferreira fail so miserably against Sunderland.
With the news that Frank Lampard also suffered a setback in his recovery and will be on the sidelines for another three weeks means Chelsea will be without their talismanic stars for at least the next six weeks.
Add to this Alex’s eight-week absence due to surgery on his knee plus the suspension of Michael Essien who misses the next two games and Manchester United and Arsenal will be hopeful of overtaking Chelsea in the Premier League over the coming weeks – Chelsea are currently odds on 8/11 to win the Premier League.
The Chelsea medical team have been unable to find the cause of the problem that ruled Terry out of the Sunderland game and the upcoming England friendly, and it’s feared that Terry could miss a few months.
“I know I won’t play on Saturday against Birmingham City, but beyond that there are no clues,” said Terry, “it could be weeks, it could be months.”
Chelsea are 8/13 to win away at Birmingham on Saturday and despite sitting in the relegation zone, the midlands club have only lost one home match this season.
As Chelsea slip closer to there title rivals in the Premier League race, Arsenal and Man Utd will both need to take advantage of Chelsea’s poor form.
Chelsea face Man Utd on December 19th and Lampard should be fit for that game, but it remains to be seen just how long Terry will be on the sidelines for.
Man Utd are 3/1 to win the Premier League. See the full Barclays Premier League football betting odds here.
