Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has unfortunately confirmed a Blues injury blow. The star was on international duty with his country's Under-21s, but pulled out ahead of the fixtures. The absence sadly leaves CFC with no specialist for the position as preparations reach overdrive for the Bournemouth trip on Saturday. So, which player in west London will step up to play right back versus the Cherries? And when will Malo Gusto and club captain Reece James return from their respective injuries? And is there a comeback in the making for a previously banished defender?
Ben Chilwell handed Chelsea lifeline after initially being disregarded by Blues boss Enzo Maresca
I am unsure that Ben Chilwell would do a particularly good job on the opposing flank. This view comes partly because the former Leicester City lefty seems to rarely uses his weaker foot. Therefore the fact that Maresca has reopened the front door for Chilwell, after previously escorting him out of the back door, is likely coincidental to Gusto and James being sidelined with issues.
That's right, the gaffer has implied that a solution will now be found for the one-time Fox. Incidentally, Chilwell and Maresca were not together at King Power Stadium if you were wondering whether an existing relationship existed. Evidently compatibility was at a minimum, because the England international was abruptly left out of the CFC squad at large.
Chilwell is, however, good enough for a rotation or backup role at Stamford Bridge. In spite of distinctly being second best with regards to Marc Cucurella, in almost everyone's opinion, the Englishman has something to offer. Aside from the lack of full backs on either side, Chilwell has obviously represented his National Team, so has pedigree.
But what did the Italian state about the Milton Keynes-born footballer, following a suggested switch to Turkey's Super Lig fell through?:
" We will sit with him and find solution. He is probably going to be back with us, we will see. At the moment, he is not training with us. The reason why he was training apart, is because the idea was for him to leave."Enzo Maresca
The Malo Gusto and Reece James conundrum
Chelsea's defence is definitely not impenetrable at present. The English capital outfit have some alright choices for their defensive line, yet it never feels too safe. Wesley Fofana has helped, but I am unconvinced by his partnership with Levi Colwill.
Now there is a real problem because, as aforementioned, Gusto and James are unavailable. The duo will, at the very least, miss the Bournemouth clash. In fact, James doesn't even have a timeline: Maresca merely asserted that the Three Lions star "needs more time".
Elsewhere Cole Palmer should be fit. While Romeo Lavia is "close" to fitness.