N'Golo Kante is set to be a "huge loss" for Chelsea after the midfielder was ruled out of the Blues' next two fixtures, according to Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge.
Why is Kante unavailable?
Kante has tested positive for coronavirus and, as a result, will isolate for 10 days.
Contracting Covid-19 means the central midfielder will be forced to miss tonight's Champions League group stage tie against Italian giants Juventus along with this weekend's Premier League meeting with Southampton, while there are also doubts as to whether he will be able to participate in France's Nations League fixture against Belgium during next month's international break.
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has defended Kante following the news and also passed judgement on whether footballers should be pressured into having the jab.
Kante is still waiting to make his first Champions League appearance of the season having also missed the group stage opener against Zenit Saint-Petersburg due to recovering from a groin injury.
However, he has become a key player since making the £30million move to Stamford Bridge from Leicester City and would have been in line to add to his 224 appearances for the club against Juventus and Southampton had he not contracted coronavirus.
What has Michael Bridge said about Kante?
Bridge believes Chelsea will miss Kante's presence in the centre of the park when they do battle with Juventus and Southampton.
It comes after Kante has been involved in four of Chelsea's Premier League fixtures so far this season, with him also getting on the scoresheet in the London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.
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However, Sky Sports journalist Bridge thinks Tuchel has enough strong options to cope without the 30-year-old.
He told GIVEMESPORT: "Kante is a huge loss.
"He's probably one of the best players in the world at the moment, with the way he is. But I'm sure Chelsea can cope."
Who could come into the side in Kante's place?
Kante started the weekend defeat to Manchester City alongside Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic, so it is likely that Tuchel will stick with the latter two for the Champions League group stage encounter with Juventus.
Saul Niguez could be offered an opportunity following his deadline day move from Atletico Madrid.
His only two appearances for Chelsea have come in Premier League and Carabao Cup wins over Aston Villa so far.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek could also be in the running having been involved in three matches in recent weeks despite spending the start of the season on the fringes of Tuchel's squad.