Ivanovic’s injury..... Rahman’s Premiership chance?
Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho may be forced to hand young Ghanaian left-full back, Abdul Baba Rahman his debut in the English Premier League as it is obvious his first choice, Branislav Ivanovic has been ruled out for three weeks with the hamstring injury he picked up on international duty.last week Thursday.
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The absence of one of Jose Mourinho's key defensive stalwarts means £21million left back Rahman could start against Aston Villa on Saturday.
That would see Cesar Azpilicueta revert to his natural role at right back in a Chelsea defence that has leaked 17 goals in the Barclays Premier League - the division's second-highest conceded total.
Ghana international Rahman, 21, arrived from Augsburg this summer but only has starts against Maccabi Tel Aviv and Walsall to his name since moving to Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho has so far resisted calls for the new signing to replace out-of-form Ivanovic in the side but his hand could be forced by his vice-captain's injury
When asked why he was not utilising Rahman earlier this month, the Portuguese coach said: 'Because Baba Rahman arrived in the last day, because he doesn't know what is is to play in this kind of championship.
“He had no pre-season with us. He needs time to learn, he needs time to adapt.
“If you don't have a minimum of five tall players good in the air, you are dead in set-pieces.
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“When I play Azpilicueta on the right and Baba Rahman on the left and I don't play Ivanovic, I have only three, not ever four (players who are in the air). So we have to think about all the details. And I think about all the details.”
Chelsea follow up their return to Premier League action with a trip to Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League next week Tuesday, with games against West Ham, Stoke City and Liverpool all to come within Ivanovic's expected recovery period.
