Mauricio Pochettino has a number of concerns over Chelsea’s fitness heading into today’s Premier League return clash against Bournemouth. The international break has allowed for a number of Blues stars to spend more time recovering at Cobham with a key duo taking part in first-team training.
Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia have been spotted, but neither is set to feature against the Cherries where the latter suffered a heavy defeat. Reece James also remains without while there are understandable concerns over the availability of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez following their efforts in Ecuador and Argentina, respectively.
However, there is some good news for Pochettino involving Carney Chukwuemeka and the potential for an early return to action from his hamstring injury. With that said, football.london compiles all the latest injury news from Stamford Bridge.
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Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo was pictured with a bandaged right leg, suggesting the midfielder may have been nursing a knock following Ecuador’s win over Uruguay. He was seen with what appeared to be blue kinesiology tape tied around his knee – a medical practice that helps move the muscles around a joint.
Despite the scare, he has trained as normal at Cobham on his return to west London, although there is a slight chance he will miss out on this weekend’s start.
What Pochettino said: “Moises, we need to assess him because he is behind Enzo, but hopefully yes, he will play well.”
Expected return date: Bournemouth (A) – September 17
Carney Chukwuemeka
The Blues midfielder was the only scorer in the 3-1 defeat at West Ham, but a knee injury before half-time saw him leave the London Stadium on crutches.
football.london understands that Chukwuemeka is expected to be out for possibly six weeks. However, an early return could be on the cards.
on InstagramA story from Noni Madueke shows Chukwuemeka back in full training gear and outside after the player announced himself that he is close to fit.
What Pochettino said: “I don’t think it’s an issue that will last months, maybe weeks. I hope we can be back as soon as possible in the team. He scored and then he got injured. Things happen that you don’t manageable.
“It’s a bit unlucky but I think he can be stronger because he feels the way he has to work and compete, he’s still young and for sure he’ll be better when we start again.”
Romeo Lavia
Lavia is yet to feature for Chelsea, with Pochettino keen for him to catch up with the rest of the squad’s fitness levels before being included. The Belgian midfielder is said to have suffered a muscle tear in his ankle during the international break which could delay his debut for the Blues.
football.london understands that the ankle injury is set to keep Lavia out of action for at least a month, meaning he will be out until October.
What Pochettino said: “We’re really disappointed because he trained well last week during the international break. He twisted his ankle and now we’re waiting for Monday’s results from the doctor. We’re hoping it’s not a big issue but last week He did not train with the team.
“It’s a sad situation because he’s almost fit to be back in the team. Yes, we have to wait and hopefully it won’t be a big issue for him and the team.
“We don’t know [when he’ll be back] because we need to check on him. He twisted his ankle and now we have to check on him. We don’t know the time for him to recover.”
Armando Broja
The Albanian will not be back in Pochettino’s squad this weekend despite comments from the Albanian FA. President Armando Duka insisted that the forward will be included in the Blues’ Premier League match against Bournemouth.
“Armando Broja has completed the recovery phase,” he said. “We expect him to be on the bench with Chelsea this week, that is, ready to return to the field.”
However, Mauricio Pochettino disagreed with the statement in his pre-match press conference.
What Pochettino said: “Who said anything? [he could feature on the bench this weekend to face Bournemouth]? Who is the Albanian FA? The coach? The president? I didn’t hear. It is not [true]. Not yet.”
Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) – September 24
Benoit Badiashile
Badiashile missed the opening weeks of the season with a hamstring injury picked up at the end of the 2022/23 season, but a return is imminent. The club’s official social media account posted a video of Badiashile back in training action on Monday, although Pochettino confirmed he is not yet ready to return.
What Pochettino said: “Not yet [ready to play]. The same situation [as Broja].”
Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) – September 24
Reece James
Still recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered in training, James updated supporters with a message on his Instagram saying he will ‘be back soon’. He was also spotted at Stamford Bridge during the Luton match sitting next to Todd Boehly, John Terry and Lavia.
There is growing expectation that the right-back will return after the September international break, posting a picture of himself in training gear with the caption: “Back to it soon”.
What Pochettino said: “”He’s on the mend. I don’t know if he is close or not because we assess him every day but he is starting to do things on the pitch with the ball.
“He’s really good. He’s desperate to play for the team. Yes, I hope soon, so he can be used before the next international break.”
Expected return date: N/A
Trevoh Chalobah
Trevoh Chalobah has yet to feature this season and is expected to leave in the transfer window as well. The defender has struggled with fitness since pre-season.
During Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States, he regularly fell twice in games and had to be taken off on both occasions. He has also not been seen in training since and no update has been given apart from the club’s weekly general statement.
What Pochettino said: “Yes, of course. I am Chelsea. I am the coach. Her future is what happens [here]. He is in our plans. No one decides for me. He will participate.
“Now that we have finished the transfer window, he will be involved in the decisions. Chalobah and other players in the squad are part of my plans. Some players will not play, but that is my choice.”
Expected return date: Bournemouth (A) – September 17
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku has been sidelined since being substituted against Borussia Dortmund in the club’s final pre-season game. A major blow to the Blues’ squad after arriving for over £60million in the summer, Pochettino admitted he will be sorely missed in the first half of the season.
What Pochettino said: “We feel very sorry for him. He is doing well, he is a very important player for us. I think the quality is there, one of the best offensive players who can play in different positions is always a big issue for us. Now it’s about not thinking too much about the injuries and being positive about when he will be with us again and heal as soon as possible in a good way.
“We are also working in the market, we will lose a player like this. The club is working, trying to find a solution, maybe short term, medium and long term to add the right profile for the team which will be done today.
What Nkunku said: “As you can imagine, I’m very disappointed not to be with my teammates at the start of the season. It’s hard not seeing you at the Bridge. I’ll try to come. come back stronger. It’s just a matter of time.”
Expected return date: January 2024
Wesley Fofana
Fofana is set for another significant spell on the sidelines after tearing his ACL.
What Pochettino said: “It’s really sad, bad news. We feel the sadness. We can only help him and be with the team again we know it’s difficult. We have to help him and ask him for everything. The competition waits for no one and we must be ready.
“I hope so. You have all the information that it is difficult. He evolved in a different way but I hope he recovers well.”
Expected return date: Spring 2024
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