 |
| Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on March 1, 2024 in Cobham, England. |
Chelsea ensured they would enter their FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester at the weekend on a high after beating Newcastle 3-2 in an important Premier League clash in the race for the European places. Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, and Mykhailo Mudryk got the job done for Mauricio Pochettino's side.
The victory wasn't enough to lift the Blues out of the bottom half of the table ahead of the upcoming international break but they won't drop further down the league either. They are also just one point from Newcastle now with a game in hand.
Chelsea remain within touching distance of seventh-placed West Ham (four points ahead having played a game extra) and may even be eyeing up Manchester United in sixth on 47 points too. To get that far Pochettino's men will need to show a consistency in the final two months of the season that has evaded them thus far.
The boss was able to welcome back some more of his squad from injury at Stamford Bridge here though as they look to finish the campaign strongly. Ahead of the cup match to come, here is the latest from the treatment room.
Ben Chilwell
In an injury update posted on the club's official website, it was confirmed that the left-back is "undergoing specialist medical assessment" due to a knee issue. Pochettino has confirmed it happened after the Brentford game.
Injury: Knee.
Predicted return date: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: "We need to wait until he sees the specialist. I cannot go in advance. I hope it's not a big issue but after eight or nine months here at the club, I prefer to wait."
Conor Gallagher
Gallagher has been a regular for Chelsea this season and played against Brentford. Pochettino revealed that he was suffering from illness in the build-up to Newcastle.
Injury: Ill.
Predicted return date: Returned.
What Pochettino has said: "Gallagher has not trained because he has a virus." He added: "He is still not here. In the last three days of training, he is not here. We will see on Saturday or tomorrow if he can be with the possibility to train.
"The problem with this kind of situation is you lose weight, the energy is always down, you need time to recover and see if it can be possible to be available and in which level you can be available. We need to assess him in the next few days."
Levi Colwill
The centre-back is "beginning rehabilitation programme" as the head coach confirmed the 21-year-old has a problem with his toes. He didn't feature against Newcastle.
Injury: Toes.
Predicted return date: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: "You all know now that we added the list of injured players, Levi and Chilly."
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku missed a large chunk of the campaign due to a knee injury which he sustained in pre-season. Since returning from the treatment room, the Frenchman has picked up numerous little knocks and struggled to remain match-fit.
Return date: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: "I think he suffered a problem in his hamstring and we will see in a few weeks if he can be again available. But yes, now he is doing recovery from Sunday. A little bit unlucky, bad luck because to suffer again another setback.
"It's always tough for a player that didn't play too much during the season that also came from the Bundesliga, from Germany, with some problems. He was so good in the pre-season. It is a difficult season for him. It is difficult to accept another injury and to delay to play more consistent."
Reece James
Shortly after returning from the treatment room in November, James suffered another hamstring injury in Chelsea's clash against Everton. The defender has been out ever since, but he's recently begun his recovery phase and is now training on his own.
Injury: Hamstring.
Predicted return date: April.
What Pochettino has said: "I think he feels well. We were talking and he has started his recovery, one day closer to being with the group. This is really positive and we are all positive around him, we are going to help. It is always tough for a player with a very complicated, difficult season for him.
"Now's the process to start to recover. One day less until he is part of the group. The most important thing is to start to solve the problem and, of course, help him to be strong, being positive."
Benoit Badiashile
Badiashile featured in the FA Cup fourth round against Aston Villa at the start of this month, but he was replaced with ten minutes to spare. The defender has returned to partial team training.
Injury: Groin.
Predicted return date: Burnley (H) - Saturday, March 30.
Marc Cucurella
Cucurella hadn't featured for Chelsea since the Blues' trip to Goodison Park in December after picking up an ankle injury but made his return to the team on Monday.
Injury: Ankle.
Predicted return date: Returned.
Romeo Lavia
After finally making his debut for Chelsea against Crystal Palace just after Christmas, Lavia suffered a thigh problem. The teenage midfielder is believed to be currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme, but it remains unclear at this stage when he'll be in a position to return.
Injury: Thigh.
Return date: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: "He's not training with the team. He's still recovering. No, no, impossible [to be back before the Carabao Cup final]. Still not on the pitch."
Lesley Ugochukwu
Ugochukwu hasn't played for Chelsea since the 2-1 defeat to Wolves on Christmas Eve. He is currently following a rehabilitation programme for a hamstring issue.
Injury: Hamstring.
Return date: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: N/A.
Carney Chukwuemeka
The midfielder has rejoined team training after an ankle injury. He was seen in the gym with his teammates in images released on Friday. he came off the bench late on against Newcastle.
Injury: Ankle.
Return date: Returned.
Wesley Fofana
Fofana is set to miss most of the season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season training. Despite this, he's returned to training on the pitches at Cobham.
Injury: Knee.
Predicted return date: Next season.
Want to know what about livetscore check out our article
Tags
Epl