Huge Chelsea Blow: Key Duo Set To Miss FA Cup Semi-Final vs Tottenham

Chelsea have been dealt a huge double injury blow with Thibaut Courtois and Marcos Alonso set to miss the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham this weekend, according to the Mirror.

Courtois was forced to miss Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United after suffering an ankle injury whilst taking part in a basketball promotion last week.

The Belgian international joined Nathan Ake, Nemanja Matic, Asmir Begovic and Alonso in taking part in the shoot which involved a number of drills including trick shots, half-court challenges and competing in a mini-game.

The Mirror claim that Courtois got a little bit over-excited and twisted his ankle after landing awkwardly having leapt to catch the basketball during the promo at Cobham.

As a result, the newspaper says the Blues No.1 is now expected to miss Chelsea’s huge FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham at Wembley on Saturday evening.

The news will come as a major blow to Antonio Conte as he looks to get Chelsea’s campaign back on track following Sunday’s defeat at Old Trafford and the Italian will now have to rely on Begovic between the sticks this weekend.

In a double blow for the Premier League leaders, the Mirror claim that Alonso is also set to miss the Wembley show-piece after picking up an injury ahead of Sunday’s clash with United.

The Spaniard was originally named in Conte’s starting eleven but he limped out of the warm-up shortly before the game and was forced to miss the 2-0 defeat, and it appears he’s unlikely to recover in time to face Tottenham.

It’s a nightmare situation for Conte to deal with as he prepares his side for what is going to be a pivotal game, not only in the FA Cup but it could also play a major part in the Premier League title race.

Spurs are flying right now and cut Chelsea’s lead at the top of the table to four points at the weekend so it would be a huge physiological blow to the Blues if they lose the FA Cup semi to their rivals on Saturday.