Chelsea injury roundup ahead of EPL clash with Fulham

The Pride of London roundup Chelsea injury news and reports ahead of the Blues’ Premier League clash with Fulham on February 3.

There were around 10 absent Chelsea stars for a recent match. This is a fairly unprecedented number of missing personnel for EPL clubs, let alone CFC. What’s causing the hefty pile up of injuries? Who knows.

What I do know, is that things were different before the pandemic. Maybe fitness issues started for athletes at that time due to disrupted schedules, missing training sessions and the subsequent expectation to just perform and play at will.

Here is a list of all the players that were unavailable for the west London outfit’s game against Liverpool last week: Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Denis Zakaria, Edouard Mendy, Joao Felix (through suspension), Raheem Sterling, N’golo Kante, Christian Pulisic, Wesley Fofana, Mateo Kovacic and Armando Broja. Just imagine if that lot were available for selection at the moment by Graham Potter! When the majority have returned, they will help transform this team’s short-term fortunes.

So, which stars from those mentioned could make comebacks versus capital rivals Fulham a week on Friday? Well, Chalobah was added to the unfit group as he was withdrawn from the Reds meeting. Although, Potter says the defender’s problem was only cramp, thankfully; the 23-year-old is expected to feature against the Cottagers.

With respect to James and Chilwell, Potter revealed that both are progressing satisfactorily. In addition to that, the exciting pair should play some part at Stamford Bridge vs Marco Silva’s men. Kovacic is another important piece of the lineup – more accurately, the Croatian should be starting weekly – who’ll most likely come back for the Fulham fixture.

Meanwhile, Kante is pencilled in to be fit in March. There are no specifics aside that for the World Cup winner. Pulisic is another with a similar timescale to his French colleague. Wesley Fofana might be seen as soon as next month; Potter hasn’t specified exactly when the former Leicester City man will compete.

Zakaria may be ready in February. Sterling has the same date as his Swiss teammate. Finally, Mendy has no clarification after a broken finger.