Chelsea are busy preparing for their return to Premier League action tonight against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Blues face Spurs at Stamford Bridge in one of the final fixtures of the season. Mauricio Pochettino takes on his former club for only the second time since his exit from North London in 2019.
Tonight’s game sees Chelsea go into the fixture in ninth place in the Premier League table and just one point behind eighth-placed West Ham with two games in hand. The Blues were held to a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in their previous fixture and will be determined to secure all three points this time around.
However, Pochettino will be forced to select a Chelsea starting line-up with several of his first-team squad being unavailable. football.london takes a look at the current injury list and return dates for the Blues.
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Axel Disasi
Pochettino confirmed in Wednesday’s press conference that Axel Disasi would not be available to face Tottenham on Thursday. Disasi made an appearance from the bench in the draw with Villa but will now be on the sidelines with an injury.
Injury: Groin.
What Pochettino has said: “No good news because we cannot recover any players from the list but have added Thiago [Silva] and Disasi, they will not be available for tomorrow.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Thiago Silva
Silva was taken off late in the draw with Aston Villa on Saturday, replaced by Axel Disasi. It has since been confirmed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, as expected.
There are fears that he could have played his last game in Chelsea blue with just over three weeks left of the season. He suffered a knock that kept him out for over a month in February.
Injury: Groin.
What Pochettino has said: “No good news because we cannot recover any players from the list but have added Thiago [Silva] and Disasi, they will not be available for tomorrow.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Reece James
James has just begun partial first-team training following an extended period on the sidelines. The 24-year-old defender has been undergoing rehabilitation for a muscle issue, which has kept him out of action for a large chunk of the season.
Injury: Hamstring.
What Pochettino has said [April 26]: “They are not available yet. They are close. Today and yesterday they were doing some partial training with the squad. They are close but still not available.”
Possible return date: May.
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku is now back in full team training, according to the official club website. The 26-year-old forward has been out for most of the season.
Injury: Hamstring.
What Pochettino has said [April 26]: “They [Colwill and Nkunku] were training today normally. We prepared for the game tomorrow, we were doing some set-pieces, tactical work and meetings.
“They are nearly [there] but they are on the line, but they still have not crossed the line. Maybe for Sunday against West Ham, maybe they will be ready. We hope.”
Possible return date: West Ham (H) – Sunday, May 5..
Levi Colwill
Colwill has been nursing a toe injury, which has caused him to miss some big games for Chelsea. The 21-year-old returned to partial team training last week and was in full training ahead of facing Tottenham, but is not available.
Injury: Toe.
What Pochettino has said: “They [Colwill and Nkunku] were training today normally. We prepared for the game tomorrow, we were doing some set-pieces, tactical work and meetings.
“They are nearly [there] but they are on the line, but they still have not crossed the line. Maybe for Sunday against West Ham, maybe they will be ready. We hope.”
Possible return date: West Ham (H) – Sunday, May 5.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling was added to Chelsea’s injury report just over 24 hours before the Premier League clash against Aston Villa. He wasn’t included in the squad for the match.
He is now back in partial team training.
Injury: Back.
What Pochettino has said: “Sterling suffered a pain in his lower back. Hopefully, it’s not a big issue and they [Sterling and Chukwuemeka] can be available as soon as possible because now we are going to lose two players who were there and thinking can help the team.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Chukwuemeka has seen his debut season at Chelsea continue to be riddled with injuries, with a recurrence of a previous problem seeing him added back to the injury report. He is ‘undergoing rehabilitation programme.’
Injury: Knee.
What Pochettino has said: “Carney feels something in his knee. Related to his problem before. Hopefully it’s not a big issue and they can be available as soon as possible because now we are going to lose two players who were there and thinking can help the team.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing groin surgery. The Argentine was forced off against Everton during the 6-0 win for the Blues but has been forced to go under the knife to correct the issue.
In a statement, the club wrote: “Enzo Fernandez has today undergone successful surgery on a groin issue and will now begin a period of rehabilitation, sidelining him for the remainder of Chelsea’s 2023/24 season.
“The 23-year-old midfielder will work with the club’s medical department on his rehabilitation at Cobham.”
Injury: Groin.
What Pochettino has said: “At the moment he feels the pain and he feels the limitations because of the problem. The most important thing is to fix the problem for him. If he does not feel well, he cannot perform because of the situation, it’s not good for him, the team or the club.”
Possible return date: Next season.
Malo Gusto
Gusto was absent from the matchday squad against Arsenal after picking up a knock against Manchester City. The France international is back on the Chelsea injury report and missed the draw with Villa.
He is, ‘continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.’
Injury: Knee.
What Pochettino has said: “Malo suffered a minor problem in his knee ligaments. I am not a doctor, but you asked me and I respect trying to translate what is going on. I hope it is not a big issue.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell was absent from the matchday squad against Arsenal despite featuring off the bench against Manchester City just days earlier. He was also out of the Villa clash.
He is described as ‘continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.’
Injury: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: “Chilly, also, after the national team – it’s the same problem he suffered in the last few weeks.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Robert Sanchez
Sanchez has been out of the side for nearly two months now. Marcus Bettinelli has been deputising. He is now back in partial team training.
Injury: Unknown.
Possible return date: Unknown.
Lesley Ugochukwu
The Frenchman has returned to partial team training after four months out. The 20-year-old midfielder’s last appearance came on Christmas Eve.
Injury: Unknown.
Possible return date: Next season.
Romeo Lavia
Lavia is ‘continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme’. The 20-year-old midfielder has featured just once for Chelsea this season, having struggled to stay match-fit and escape injury.
Injury: Thigh.
Possible return date: Next season.
Wesley Fofana
Fofana hasn’t featured once this season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament. The 23-year-old defender has recently returned to training on the pitches at Cobham, though he’s considered to be a long way from returning to first-team action.
Injury: ACL.
What Pochettino has said: “Unfortunately, I think it is difficult to see Wes playing this season, but you never know.”
Possible return date: Next season.
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