Explained: Why Chelsea medical director Dimitrios Kalogiannidis has departed Stamford Bridge amid Blues injury crisis

The Athleticreports that Kalogiannidis is set to leave the club, although no timescale has been placed upon his possible exit. Chelsea are currently dealing with a major injury crisis, meaning the news has come as a bolt from the blue.

Per the report, Kalogiannidis is leaving due to family reasons. He had worked with the club for 13 years, and was placed in the position of medical director in October of 2022. There have been a number of changes within the medical staff at Chelsea, as both Paco Bicosa and Thierry Laurent - the head of the medical department and chief physio, respectively - departed in September 2022.

Chelsea have nine players currently on the treatment table. Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Lesley Ugochukwu and Nicolas Jackson are all out.

Mauricio Pochettino's side face Middlesbrough in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday. The Blues are currently trailing 1-0 on aggregate.