Chelsea FC stars Thibaut Courtois and John Terry should be available for next weekend’s fixture.
The Belgian has been missing since succumbing to injury on international duty in September but will reportedly be ready to retake his position for Saturday’s game. John Terry, meanwhile, missed the Tottenham Hotspur draw after picking up a knock against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, but should also return against Bournemouth.
Courtois was the man who managed to replace the seemingly irreplaceable Petr Cech. He was Jose Mourinho’s first-choice keeper last season, forcing Cech to leave Stamford Bridge for Arsenal.
While his last campaign was relatively sedate, this 2015/16 edition has been filled with incidents. Courtois was sent off during Chelsea’s opening day 2-2 draw with Swansea City and not long after was sidelined with this knee injury that has kept him out for over two months.
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News of his return may be superficially exciting, but the truth is that the goalkeeping position has been the least of Chelsea’s concerns so far. Asmir Begovic has filled in more than admirably for the Belgian and in fact has saved the Blues from excessive embarrassment on numerous occasions.
In some ways it would be harsh on the Bosnian if he were to be dropped.
Terry’s return, though, will be greeted with greater relief. Chelsea have desperately lacked on-field leadership in this campaign (just ask Didier Drogba) and with the captain returning to form, he is increasingly more free to drive the dressing room.
With the Blues in such a tight spot, the club need the senior players fit and raring to go as they seek to salvage a top four finish out of the mess.
Furthermore, on the back of an active three-match unbeaten run, Chelsea need to capitalise on what little momentum that is starting to brew. The Blues are currently on the ropes, but they are still throwing punches.
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Loic Remy, meanwhile, missed out on a potential starting opportunity against Spurs due his wife giving birth (congratulations, by the way). His absence forced Mourinho to employ Eden Hazard up top while Diego Costa was dropped for continually listless performances.
Remy may well still find that starting spot beckoning next weekend after Costa’s petulant bib-throwing incident in Sunday’s game. And, boy, are Chelsea yearning for a productive striker.
Speaking of productive strikers (well kind of), Radamel Falcao will also be available for selection come Saturday. Great!
Lastly, Ramires is also due to return. The Brazilian, like John Terry, fell foul of the Haifa pitch midweek and was forced to sit out this past weekend’s contest.
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While Mourinho is often quite stubborn with his team selections, a large squad will undoubtedly be beneficial as Chelsea head into the busy festive period.