Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell has been pictured back on the grass at Cobham just two and a half months after knee surgery.
The England international was expected to be out until the end of the season but some supporters on Twitter are now more optimistic that he’ll return before then:
Wow this dude is built different
— Æmmy (@Cfc_Emmy) March 8, 2022
Should be back in time for the Champions League final me thinks
— 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲 (@Denzo_CFC) March 8, 2022
Unlikely, as a fellow ACL tearer (twice!), we can get back to light training fairly soon but full throttle game play takes the full 8 or 9 months. VVD missed the Euros in July even though he had his ACL surgery in late Oct or early Nov the previous year.
— Kantèlèlè (@s_baryCFC) March 8, 2022
@absfabracadabra pic.twitter.com/sIoz2l29tb
— Mike Heintzelman 🇺🇦 (@doctor_mccheese) March 9, 2022
Chelsea must be having the best medical personnel
— Collinbaco (@collinbaco) March 8, 2022
I’m sure he’s still out for the season but this is great news. Hope he’s ready to start pre season 22/23. Good luck @BenChilwell 💙#CFC
— Sid ⭐️⭐️ (@0releaseclause) March 9, 2022
Great news😍😍 he might be back for the Champions League Final🏆
— FPL_barhooo🇩🇪🇹🇷 (@barhooo97) March 8, 2022
Star boy is back 👌
— CFC Blade⭐⭐ (@Bladethebest01) March 8, 2022
Love to see it
— MarkO (@Markyallo) March 9, 2022
Chilwell does look like he is making good progress on his return from injury, but it should be pointed out that recovering from anterior cruciate ligament damage is a long process.
While seeing him back on the training pitch is a very good sign, especially this early, six to nine months is usually the average in terms of rehabilitation.
Whether Chilwell is simply a quick healer, it isn’t known, but fans should probably keep their expectations in check when it comes to him returning to action anytime soon. While you can’t rule out a comeback before the campaign is over, he still has a way to go before being available for the first team again.