Chelsea struggling for defenders

Chelsea's Andre Villas-Boas struggling for defenders after Branislav Ivanovic injury | Mail Online

Branislav Ivanovic will miss Chelsea’s first game of the season with a thigh injury, leaving Andre Villas-Boas with a defensive headache ahead of Sunday’s trip to Stoke.

Ivanovic has not trained fully since pulling a muscle in pre-season and missed Serbia’s friendly in Russia.

His absence leaves Villas-Boas low on central defensive cover against Stoke’s aerial attack because Brazilian pair Alex and David Luiz have both had their pre-season programmes interrupted.

Chelsea have a winnable, if tough, match at Stoke but then face West Brom and Norwich at Stamford Bridge. For me, this news makes Bosingwa a viable option at the back. Though it worries me that Ferreira has gotten time at right back this preseason too, including the latest match against Rangers.

Ivanovic out for a month

Now they're both injured.

Chelsea's miserable week has taken another turn for the worse with Branislav Ivanovic ruled out for a month, leaving them without both first-choice right backs.

After crashing out of the Champions League and drawing with Blackburn, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could have done without another headache — but Ivanovic has torn a knee ligament. Jose Bosingwa is already out for the season with an injured knee.

Left back Ashley Cole is also sidelined until May after fracturing his left ankle.

A scan yesterday confirmed the Serbia international has torn a medial collateral ligament. After playing in 24 of Chelsea’s 30 league games this season, he will now miss the key clashes against Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on April 10.

Yuri Zhirkov replaced Ivanovic at Blackburn on Sunday and Paulo Ferreira could also fill in on the right.

Looking for a Vermaelen replacement?

Zhirkov (listed as a middie) 4.68
Ferreira 6.59

Oh, and as for Le'Scott, he's having a scan this week and will yet again miss playing against Everton.  As Church Lady might say, "How convenient!"