These 12 Chelsea stars remain injured at bad time while Blues star may be sacrificed

Will any of the sidelined players - such as Ben Chilwell, Christopher Nkunku, Reece James and Romeo Lavia - return for the final games of the 2023/24 campaign? In addition to examining fitness issues, The Pride of London also report on the west Londoners' supposed plot to sign a winger during the summer transfer window. Is Nico Williams the right fit for Stamford Bridge, and will the inconsistent Raheem Sterling be sacrificed for a new wideman?

The consequential problem doesn't seem to be mentioned as regularly anymore, with much of the football media and many fans' time and energy being spent criticising Mauricio Pochettino. Often those thoughts and accusations are rightly levelled; I feel that some players' continually poor performances should have been singled out further in some cases. Yet arguably an entirely overriding matter dampens Pochettino's evolution and team consistency more than anything: a plethora of significant injuries.

First of all, important pair Ben Chilwell and Conor Gallagher are on the injury list now. Unfortunately, Chilwell must see a specialist for a proper diagnosis; Gallagher is ill and a doubt for the Newcastle United clash. Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella may actually make the Magpies fixture, respectively.

Though Levi Colwill is only just beginning his rehabilitation program; Christopher Nkunku's comeback is ambiguous at present. Reece James, however, could be back for April; Benoit Badiashile has a similar timeframe to the Chels' captain.

These are the remaining CFC absentees: Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, Carney Chukwuemeka and Wesley Fofana.

A new winger at Chelsea at the expense of Raheem Sterling?

Sterling still has much to offer, although doubt was cast over his Blues future. Let's see what Express claim concerning the Williams and Sterling rumour:

"Chelsea are reportedly considering triggering the release clause of La Liga star Nico Williams when Mauricio Pochettino begins his summer spending spree. The Blues are again expected to be frenzied during the next window, needing to sell a host of players in order to fund moves for new personnel.

The development could throw fresh doubt on the future of Raheem Sterling. The forward has come under criticism of late and was hauled off earlier in the second half during Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool at Wembley last month."