Ko Itakura Injury: Misses due to injury

Itakura (undisclosed) missed Saturday's 3-3 draw against Sparta Rotterdam due to injury, coach John Heitinga confirmed in a press conference, according to ADSportwereld. "I think we've also had to deal with a lot of injuries in recent weeks. This morning Ko was absent."

Itakura is dealing with an undisclosed injury that made him miss the last Eredivisie game against Sparta. It remains unclear whether this is a new issue or a setback from his previous ankle injury suffered during the last international break with Japan. The center back is an important figure in Ajax's defense and if he has to miss the game against Chelsea in two weeks, Josip Sutalo will likely have an increased role at the back.