Chelsea Could Be Without Lacroix Until January

Chelsea could be without centre-back Maxence Lacroix until January after he suffered a serious hamstring injury. The hamstring is the muscle that runs down the back of the thigh, and it is a common source of long lay-offs for players.

Lacroix was hurt at the end of the first half of Chelsea's Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool, the English League Cup knockout competition. He was sprinting to block a shot when he went down. Liverpool went on to win the match on penalties.

According to BBC Sport, the 24-year-old could miss up to 10 matches. That would keep him out for several weeks, with a return possible in the new year.

Chelsea signed Lacroix from Crystal Palace in the summer for £52m. He has started all but one of the club's 11 matches in all competitions this season, so his absence will be felt on the pitch.

The bigger problem is depth. Chelsea's other centre-back options are Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato and Aaron Anselmino. Hato and Anselmino are also injured, which leaves fewer players to choose from.

The timing is tough. Chelsea sit fifth in the Premier League, England's top division, with 13 points from eight matches. They have kept only one clean sheet, a match without conceding a goal, in those eight league games.

There was some relief in the same match. Midfielder Moises Caicedo avoided injury despite concerns after the Liverpool game.

For Chelsea, the next task is to tighten up at the back without their first-choice centre-back. Their defence has to improve quickly if the team wants to climb the table while Lacroix recovers.