Jadon Sancho has posted a defiant message on Instagram days after Chelsea drew 1-1 with Manchester United.
The 24-year-old, who is on loan at the Blues from Old Trafford and will sign for them permanently in the summer, was unavailable for the fixture.
Sancho was not allowed to play due to his loan agreement, but Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed in a pre-match press conference on Wednesday that he would not have been available regardless due to illness and injury.
"Jadon is recovering from illness, but he also had a knock in a session," Maresca explained.
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"We will see if he can be available for Sunday's game, otherwise it will be after the international break for him."
Sancho has started five games for Chelsea since arriving on transfer deadline day and has impressed Blues fans.
United fans are less than impressed with the winger as he did not produce similar form at Old Trafford, although there are significant differences involved in his circumstances at the two clubs.
One fan even took to Twitter to claim that 'this is just the beginning' of Sancho's downfall.
But the former Borussia Dortmund star took to Instagram to post a new photo in apparent response to the doubters, showing an electronic device and monitors strapped to his upper left thigh in confirmation, if it were needed, that he is indeed injured.
Sancho missed out on selection for the upcoming England squad, with Nations League fixtures against Greece and Republic of Ireland on the horizon.
They will be the last games in charge of the Three Lions for interim manager Lee Carsley before Thomas Tuchel takes over on January 1.
Sancho may have an improved chance of getting selected under the former Bayern Munich boss, who came up against him while he was playing on loan for Borussia Dortmund last season.
For now, though, the Chelsea star will hope to get back to full fitness as quickly as possible - though his latest post indicates he may not be ready for Sunday's crucial Premier League fixture away at Arsenal. Chelsea host Leicester after the international break on November 23.
Topics: Jadon Sancho, Chelsea, Manchester United, Football
Ryan Smart