Mauricio Pochettino is anticipating yet another ιnjury benefit for Chelsea, which welcomed back three players from last weekend’s match against Fulham. Both Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka, who had been sidelined for the previous few months, were included in Pochettino’s matchday squad on Saturday. In the final phases of the match, Chukwuemeka was introduced from the bench.
Meanwhile, Benoit Badiashile was an unutilized substitute due to muscle exhaustion that had prevented him from playing for the past few weeks. Despite the return of three influential players, Chelsea remаins without eight players due to ιnjury, with no newcomers anticipated. However, this may change during the winter break.
“We require some rest for the staff as well as the players,” Pochettino told reporters after announcing the squad would have three days off in the wake of the victory over Fulham. They have been through an exceptionally hectic period and are now in need of some breathing room. Indeed, we will then proceed with preparations. Seven days will pass before our match against Middlesbrough.
“Thereafter, on Friday, we will face Aston Villa in the FA Cup, and on Wednesday, we will face Liverpool in the Premier League, for a total of three competitions.” We thus require three days off.” According to the Evening Standard, certain players will likely still travel to Cobham, with Christopher Nkunku aiming to return from his hip ιnjury in time to face Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on the following Wednesday in the Carabao Cup second leg.
After initially generating apprehension regarding Nkunku’s potential lengthy absence prior to the Fulham match, Pochettino subsequently disclosed an unexpectedly optimistic development following the victory. “No, it will not affect [anything],” he responded to the BBC when asked whether Nkunku’s ιnjury would impact transfer plans. We are conversing and evaluating the squad. “I have a feeling that Nkunku will be complete fairly quickly.”
Trevoh Chalobah, who participated in full-team training, appears to be the next player closest to a return, according to the most recent ιnjury report from Chelsea. Additionally, Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu remain sidelined, with the latter having been withdrawn in the 2-1 loss to Wolves on Christmas Eve and has yet to return.
Lavia, meanwhile, made his début for Chelsea against Crystal Palace with a new ιnjury, and Pochettino’s initial assessment was concerning. “He has a feeling, some concern,” he stated in December. “We must verify and hope that it is not [bad].” I am slightly concerned. I’m not sure, because if you were observing the match [against Crystal Palace], you would not have understood why I switched positions with Lavia at the conclusion due to his difficulty running. It will be observed what transpires.
“With any luck, this will not prove to be a significant obstacle and he will be able to play with us once more.” “He is a crucial player who will hopefully recover; it would be unfortunate if we were unable to utilize him in the upcoming matches.” The most recent setback for club captain Reece James, who has been sidelined by injuries for the past few years, occurred in early December during a 2-0 loss to Everton. James and Chelsea reached a decision for him to undertake surgery after he sustained a second hamstring ιnjury; on Monday, he provided an update regarding his rehabilitation.
James uploaded a photo of himself in the gym while clad in Chelsea training attire to social media. He wrote alongside the image, “On the mend. I sincerely hope and wish that all of you are doing well. Additionally, Robert Sanchez was substituted with an ιnjury during that match against Everton; however, Pochettino anticipates his prompt return to action. He stated last week, “He was on the pitch running today [Friday].” “Within the next few days, he intends to engage in some exercise in order to assess the condition of his knee. However, it is an exceptionally positive and beneficial progression.”
Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are both anticipated to miss a significant portion of the remaining months of the 2023–24 season due to surgical repairs for their respective injuries. Cucurella had performed admirably during Pochettino’s tenure, but an ankle ιnjury has sidelined him. Fofana, meanwhile, has yet to make an appearance this season following the revelation that he sustained a severe knee ιnjury in preseason.