Callum Hudson-Odoi has posted on Twitter that he has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The Chelsea youngster limped off five minutes before half-time in the 2-2 draw with Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
He will be assessed over the next 24 hours but the early signs are not good.
A significant injury would be a real blow for Hudson-Odoi, who recently broke into the Chelsea first team in the Premier League and is hugely popular among fans.
And an Achilles tendon rupture is one of the worst injuries a footballer can suffer – it can keep players out for several months.
Really gutted to end my season with an Ruptured Achilles, gotta work hard and try and come back stronger for next season!!!
pic.twitter.com/PXC53WszdH — Callum Hudson-Odoi (@Calteck10) April 22, 2019
Speaking after the game, Gianfranco Zola could not confirm Hudson-Odoi had suffered a ruptured achilles – but admitted the club were fearful
“It’s not an easy one. I think it’s a serious injury. It’s on his achilles tendon,” assistant boss Zola told reporters.
“I cannot tell you the full extent of it. I haven’t been told if it’s ruptured. I think he will have to have an examination. But it’s not looking good.”
N’Golo Kante also had to go off – the midfielder was withdrawn at half-time – but Chelsea do not believe the Frenchman’s injury is a cause for alarm.
Zola explained: “He went down and as he went down he fell on the foot of a player, so he just had an intrusion in his ribs and he couldn’t breathe properly and that’s why he came off. He will be alright. It’s not anything serious.”