Champions League: Chelsea gets major boost ahead of Barcelona clash

Premier League Champions, Chelsea, have been handed a major boost ahead of their Champions League last-16 clash with Barcelona.

This is after Gerard Pique picked up an injury.

The Spanish international scored a late equalizer against Espanyol in the Catalan derby on Sunday, but picked up a knock in the bruising encounter.

An insider told AS that the injury could keep him sidelined for up to a month – meaning he would miss the clash with Chelsea.

The Blues host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on February 20, two weeks’ time, and Pique is a major doubt for that away trip.

Pique is currently undergoing tests at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva training centre to determine the full extent of the injury before a diagnosis, and return date, can be ascertained.

Another Barca defender, Thomas Vermaelen is also out injured which gives Ernesto Valverde a serious selection headache ahead of the tie with Chelsea.

Valverde explained, “We are not in pre-season and there is no time for experiments.

“We are in a critical stage of the season and when he is needed to play, he will play.”

Pique appeared to pick up his injury after a bad challenge from Espanyol goalscorer Gerard Moreno.