Gary Cahill's FA Cup Status in Doubt After 2-Night Hospital Stay with Illness

Gary Cahill's status for Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday is in doubt after the centre-back spent two nights in the hospital due to illness, according to Matt Law of the Telegraph. 

According to that report, Cahill was admitted to a hospital on Tuesday following a Blues training session and was released on Thursday after undergoing treatment and testing. 

If Cahill is deemed unable to play, that will leave manager Antonio Conte with David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, John Terry and Nathan Ake as potential options in Chelsea's back three. Luiz and Azpilicueta are regular starters in that role alongside Cahill. 

Zouma started against Manchester United on Sunday, though he did so because Marcos Alonso was out due to illness and Azpilicueta was shifted to wingback. 

Chelsea's defense has been a big part of the team's success this season, as the Blues have given up just 27 goals in Premier League play, third behind only Tottenham (22) and Manchester United (24). Cahill has been an important part of that and has earned a solid average match rating of 7.00 from WhoScored.com to go along with Azpilicueta's 7.14 mark and Luiz's 7.11 rating.

Without Cahill, that defense will be tested against an excellent Tottenham side that is not only vying for an FA Cup triumph but is also just four points behind the Blues in the Premier League title race.

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