Chelsea injury news - The Blues are expected to welcome back several big names from the treatment room for the clash against Bournemouth this weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino looks set to welcome back several players to his matchday squad for Chelsea's clash against Bournemouth this weekend. Armando Broja has returned to training for the first time since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa last year during the World Cup break.
Carney Chukwuemeka is also closing in on a return to action after suffering an injury against West Ham last month. Trevoh Chalobah continues to recover from a hamstring injury, meanwhile Romeo Lavia could be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering an ankle injury during the international break.
Not to mention that Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto were pictured with strapping around their knees during the international break - although that appeared to be precautionary. With that said, football.london has rounded up the latest injury news from Stamford Bridge ahead of the Blues' Premier League return on Sunday afternoon.
Romeo Lavia
Lavia is yet to feature for Chelsea, with Pochettino eager for him to catch up to the rest of the squad's fitness levels before getting involved. The Belgian midfielder is said to have suffered a muscle tear on his ankle during the international break which could delay his debut for the Blues further.
football.london understands that the ankle injury is set to keep Lavia out of action for at least one month, meaning he may not feature until at least October.
What Pochettino has said: "We are really disappointed because he was training really well last week in the international break. He twisted his ankle and now we are waiting for the results on Monday from the doctor. We hope it's not a big issue but in the last week he has not been training with the team.
"It's a sad situation because he was nearly fit to be involved again with the team. Yes, now we need to wait and hopefully it's not a big issue for him and the team of course.
"We don't know [when he'll be back] because we need to assess him. He twisted his ankle and now we need to assess him. We do not know the time for him to recover."
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo was pictured with a strapped up right thigh, suggesting that the midfielder may be nursing a knock after Ecuador's win against Uruguay. He was seen with what appeared to be some blue kinesiology tape strapped around his knee - a medical practise which assists movement and muscles around a joint.
Despite the panic, he trained as normal at Cobham upon his return to west London.
What Pochettino has said: "Moises, we need to assess him because he was a little bit later than Enzo, but hopefully yes, he will be fit to play."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (A) - September 17
Malo Gusto
Malo Gusto seemed to wearing some more heavy duty tape which covered the entirety of his thigh after featuring for France Under-21s during the international break. Similarly, despite the panic, he also trained as normal at Cobham upon his return.
Expected return date: Bournemouth (A) - September 17
Armando Broja
The Albanian could return to Pochettino's squad this weekend following comments by the Albanian FA. President Armando Duka has insisted the forward will be involved in the Blues' Premier League clash against Bournemouth this Sunday.
"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."
What Pochettino has said: "Who said that [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's not [true]. Not yet."
Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) - September 24
Mykhailo Mudryk
Mudryk seemed to have sustained a calf injury in Ukraine's 1-1 draw with England last Saturday. Having been substituted off, the Chelsea star did make an appearance in Milan on Tuesday evening against Italy.
He came on in the 58th minute and was unable to save a point in their European Championship qualifier. A sign that he is fit and ready for Sunday.
Expected return date: Bournemouth (A) - September 17
Expected return date: October
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 very close. football.london understands that Chelsea are expecting to have Badiashile fit for selection for their Premier League match with Bournemouth after the international break.
The club's official social media account posted a video of Badiashile back in training action on Monday, seemingly hinting at his return later in the week.
What Pochettino has said: "Not yet [ready to play]. The same situation."
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 claiming he'll be 'back soon'. He was also spotted at Stamford Bridge during the Luton match sat alongside Todd Boehly, John Terry and Lavia.
There is growing expectation that the right-back will be back after the September international break, having posted a picture of himself in training gear with the caption: "Back to it soon".
What Pochettino has said: ""He's recovering well. I don't know if he's close or not because we assess him every single day but he's started to do things on the pitch with the ball.
"He's really well. He's desperate to play for the team. Yes, I hope it's close, also so he can be available before the next international break."
Expected return date: N/A
Trevoh Chalobah
Trevoh Chalobah is yet to make an appearance this season and was expected to depart during the transfer window as well. The defender has been struggling with fitness since pre-season.
During Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States, he went often down twice during matches and had to be taken off on both occasions. He also hasn't been seen in training since and no update has since been given other than the club's weekly general statement.
What Pochettino has said: "Yes, of course. I am Chelsea. I am the coach. His future is going to be [here]. He is in our plans. No one is going to decide for me. He is going to be involved.
"Now we have finished the transfer window, he is going to be involved in the decisions. Chalobah and the other players in the squad are part of my plans. Some players don't play, but that is my choice."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (A) - September 17
Carney Chukwuemeka
The Blues midfielder was the only goalscorer in the side's 3-1 loss to West Ham, but a serious knee injury just before half-time saw him leave the London Stadium on crutches.
football.london understands that Chukwuemeka is expected to be out for a possible six weeks but due to the international breaks coming up, he might only miss five or six games before making a swift return.
What the club has said: "I think it is not an issue that will take months, maybe weeks. I hope we can be as soon as possible with the team again. He scored and then he got injured. Things happen that you cannot manage.
"A little bit unlucky but I think he can become stronger because he feeling the way he needs to work and compete, he is young and for sure he will be much better when we start again."
Expected return date: October
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'd be sorely missed in the first half of the season.
What Pochettino has said: "We feel very sorry about him. He was doing well, he was very important player for us. I think the quality is there, one of the best offensive players that can play in different positions always is a big issue for us. Now it's about not thinking too much about the injuries and being positive about when he can be again with us and recover as soon as possible in a good way.
"We are working in the market also, we are going to miss one 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 to perform for now."
What Nkunku has said: "As you can imagine, I'm so disappointed not to be able to be with my team-mates during the start of the season. It's hard not to have been able to meet you guys at the Bridge. I will work hard to come back stronger. It's only a matter of time."
Expected return date: January 2024
Wesley Fofana
Fofana is set for another significant spell on the sidelines after rupturing his ACL.
What Pochettino has said: "Really sad, really bad news. We feel so sad. We can only help him and to be again with the team we know it is tough. We need to help him and wish him all the best. We need to keep going, the competition is there. The competition doesn't wait for anyone and we need to be ready.
"I hope yes. You have all of the information that this is difficult. He is evolving in a different way but hopefully his recovery goes very well."
Expected return date: Spring 2024
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