Chelsea will host EFL Championship side Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on March 17. However, Mauricio Pochettino will have a few selection headaches as some key players are likely to miss that match.
Now, as the game is around the corner, the Argentine has provided updates on each injured player in the squad.
Chelsea Injury News: Pochettino’s comments
Speaking to the press in his pre-match conference, Mauricio Pochettino delivered the latest Chelsea injury news. He gave detailed updates on each player.
Ben Chilwell
The club’s official website confirmed that the full-back will undergo specialist treatment for his knee, which Pochettino confirmed Chilwell injured before the Brentford game.
Injury: Knee.
Return Date: Unknown.
Pochettino’s comments: “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.”
Levi Colwill
As confirmed by the manager, Colwill will begin a new rehabilitation program for treating his injured toes, having missed Chelsea’s 3-2 win against Newcastle.
Injury: Toes.
Return Date: Unknown.
Enzo Fernandez
The Argentine midfielder is suspended for accumulation of yellow cards and will be ineligible for selection for one game.
Christopher Nkunku
The Frenchman sustained a knee injury in pre-season and has missed a large chunk of the current season.
Injury: Knee.
Return Date: Unknown.
Pochettino’s comments: “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.”
Reece James
James returned from injury in November but suffered a hamstring injury shortly after and has been out since the Blues’ match against Everton.
Injury: Hamstring.
Return Date: Early April.
Pochettino’s comments: “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.”
Benoit Badiashile
Pochettino rounded off the Chelsea injury news with updates about youngsters who have been out injured for a while. Badiashile has already made a return to partial training as he recovers from a groin problem.
Injury: Groin.
Return Date: March 30.
Romeo Lavia
Lavia had an unfortunate start to his Chelsea career, injuring his thigh in his debut game against Crystal Palace in December. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Injury: Thigh.
Return Date: Unknown.
Pochettino’s comments: “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 last featured for the Blues in a 2-1 defeat to Wolves before Christmas. He has been out since then with a hamstring problem.
Injury: Hamstring.
Return Date: Unknown.
Wesley Fofana
Fofana has missed the majority of the Blues’ current season due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Injury: ACL.
Return Date: Unknown.
Chelsea’s season so far
The Blues have had a rollercoaster of a season under Mauricio Pochettino as he made his managerial return to the Premier League.
They are currently 11th in the Premier League after 27 games, having earned 39 points so far, 14 points off the European qualification spots. They made it to the Carabao Cup final after an impressive run in the tournament. However, Chelsea lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the final after extra-time.
Having finished 12th last season, the club did not have any European football to play this season. So far, they have defeated Preston North End, Aston Villa and Leeds United to make it to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. With that being the only silverware they can realistically contest for, Pochettino will hope his troops can focus on getting good results.
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