The Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea embarked on a promising note as they sailed to a resounding 3-0 victory over Luton last Friday. Raheem Sterling’s double strike showcased the team’s prowess as they comfortably dispatched the Hatters at Stamford Bridge, further solidifying Pochettino’s early tenure.
The shadow of injury woes persists within the squad, which has been a recurring theme for Chelsea over the past year. The absence of key players, currently unavailable to Pochettino, underscores the void in quality that any world-class team would feel.
Romeo Lavia: The £58 million midfielder’s debut might be deferred for a few weeks following his transfer from Southampton. Anticipated return date: Saturday, September 17 against Bournemouth.
Mykhailo Mudryk: Although a “minor” injury sidelined Mudryk for the Luton match, he could rejoin the lineup against Nottingham Forest in the upcoming weekend. Expected return date: Saturday, September 2 against Nottingham Forest.
Reece James: The club captain’s injury woes persist following a setback post the season opener. Pochettino remains optimistic, expecting a return within a few weeks. Potential return date: Saturday, September 17 against Bournemouth.
Benoit Badiashile: Recovering from a hamstring concern, the defender is back in training and primed for a swift reintegration into the first-team setup. Projected return date: Saturday, September 17 against Bournemouth.
Armando Broja: Having undergone knee surgery due to an ACL injury from December, Broja’s return to training is a positive sign, although cautious progression is essential. Potential return date: October 2023.
Carney Chukwuemeka: A knee injury from the West Ham match led to surgery for Chukwuemeka, imposing an approximate six-week absence. Potential return date: Monday, October 2 against Fulham in 2023.
Christopher Nkunku: Nkunku’s competitive debut for Chelsea remains pending due to a preseason knee injury that necessitated surgery. The French international isn’t expected to return until at least November 2023.
Wesley Fofana: Another French international, Fofana, confronts the possibility of missing the entire season due to an ACL injury. Potential return: Summer 2024.
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