Before facing Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semifinal, Chelsea is concerned about several injuries, including Christopher Nkunku, their striker.
Chelsea’s struggles in the Premier League may see them seek glory in the domestic competitions instead after a decent run in both so far. A comprehensive victory over Preston at the weekend saw the Blues seal a place in the FA Cup fourth round, with hopes of making a run towards the final.
They could go one step closer to securing an appearance at Wembley on Tuesday night as they switch the FA Cup for the Carabao Cup. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in the semi-final, where they take on Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough in a two-legged affair starting at the Riverside Stadium.
While it’s a huge chance at some silverware, it won’t be a walk in the park to dismiss Boro over both matches, especially with some fresh injury concerns within the squad. With that said, here’s a look at the latest news on that front heading into the match.
While it’s a huge chance at some silverware, it won’t be a walk in the park to dismiss Boro over both matches, especially with some fresh injury concerns within the squad. With that said, here’s a look at the latest news on that front heading into the match.
Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku has suffered yet another injury problem and did feature against Preston. After the game, Pochettino confirmed the forward has suffered a fresh hip injury. While there have been reports of a three-week absence on the cards, conflicting reports suggest that it was merely a precaution to drop the Frenchman before some big games.
What Pochettino said: “When we talk about the case of Nkunku, we don’t want to put pressure on him. We know it is difficult after a long time injured.
“Six months away is always tough. Like now he wasn’t involved because he suffered after training yesterday a problem in his hip and we need to see if he can be ready for the next few games. That is the problem.”
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell suffered a knock toward the end of Chelsea’s clash with Brighton in the Carabao Cup at the end of September. Fortunately for the Blues, he’s now returned to full team training alongside Carney Chukwuemeka with the pair spotted doing small group drills.
What Pochettino said: “We are so close with Chilwell, Badiashile and Chukwuemeka but we need to see every day the evolution. Then it’s about if we can improve but they are so close. Always the risk is really important and seeing how the players perform in the training session.”
Possible return date: January 2024.
Benoit Badiashile
Central defender Badiashile missed the win over Preston after Pochettino ruled him out earlier in the week, though did claim he will be available next week. However, following the win, the Argentine provided another update.
What Pochettino said: “We are so close with Chilwell, Badiashile and Chukwuemeka but we need to see every day the evolution. Then it’s about if we can improve but they are so close. Always the risk is really important and seeing how the players perform in the training session.”
Carney Chukwuemeka
Chukwuemeka picked up a knock ahead of the game with Arsenal in October but was hit by another setback after his knee injury against West Ham in just his second match of the campaign. However, he was pictured back in first team training on Friday morning so a return will soon be on the cards.
What Pochettino said: “We are so close with Chilwell, Badiashile and Chukwuemeka but we need to see every day the evolution. Then it’s about if we can improve but they are so close. Always the risk is really important and seeing how the players perform in the training session.”
Possible return date: January 2024.
Romeo Lavia
When he joined the Blues back in August, Lavia was kept out of the matchday squads due to a match fitness problem before suffering an ankle issue in October. The Belgian international made his debut against Crystal Palace two weeks ago but picked up a knock in the process, and could miss out this weekend after being absent for the trip to Luton Town.
What Pochettino said: “We need to assess Mudryk and then Romeo Lavia also. He feels something, some issue. We need to check and hope it’s not [bad]. I’m a little bit worried. I don’t know, because if you were watching the game [against Crystal Palace] you cannot appreciate I was changing the position with Lavia at the end because he was struggling to run. We will see what is going on.”
“I really believe in my players, it’s only the circumstances, we need to recover the players that are injured. We have some setback with players like Romeo Lavia, who was involved last game but cannot be involved today.
Lesley Ugochukwu
Ugochukwu started against Wolves on Christmas Eve but was subbed off after injuring his hamstring. He missed out against Crystal Palace and also against Luton.
What Pochettino has said: “With Lesley, we will assess him tomorrow, but I think he felt his hamstring again. I said in the press conference it is important how we reintroduce players, but we were forced because of the problem with Moises [Caicedo] to play Lesley.”
Possible return date: Unknown
Reece James
After only recently returning from the treatment room, James is back on the sidelines with another hamstring injury which he suffered against Everton. James is now set for another lengthy period out.
What Pochettino has said: “I think he feels well. We were talking and he has started his recovery, he is one day closer to being with the group. This is really positive, we are all positive around him, we are going to help, involved in this way.
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