Chelsea FC: Eden Hazard And Samuel Eto’o Fit Ahead Of Second Leg Clash

Chelsea FC’s chief attacking threats in striker Samuel Eto’o and midfielder Eden Hazard both trained with the full squad on Tuesday and will be fit to be selected for the second leg squad. Both players were not fit for the first leg and also missed the Premier League clash on Sunday at Anfield against Liverpool. Jose Mourinho declared that Eden Hazard is “ready” but that final decision on whether he plays or not is still yet to be decided.

Eden Hazard has been out of action since picking up a calf injury against Paris Saint Germain in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal at Stamford Bridge. Hazard suffered the injury in the warmup but his pride, and Mourinho’s mindgames if you believe that claim, convinced him that he would be able to continue. He was substituted for Andre Schurrle who ending up scoring the opener and turning the game in Chelsea’s favor as they ran out winners on away goals. Though Chelsea advanced without him in the Champions League he may have made a difference against Sunderland in the league.

Samuel Eto’o picked up an injury after the 2-1 loss to Sunderland after scoring the opener on a nicely taken volley from close range. He was a surprise omission from the travelling team to Madrid with what was described as a minor knee complaint. Apparently it was severe enough that he did not even make the trip with the team but he has recently returned to full training. The Cameroonian is a near certainty in the starting lineup as he has scored all of his goals for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

With Chelsea being forced to attack Atletico to win the tie, it is a fantastic boost for the team’s fortunes that the two top scorers and best offensive options have been declared fit to play. Eto’o is the more likely of the two to be match-fit but Hazard will undoubtedly play a role in the match even after his layoff.

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