Chelsea’s injury woes persist as Mauricio Pochettino navigates his inaugural international break as head of the team.
The club remains in the 12th spot in the Premier League standings after losing two out of their opening four matches.
Their lack of consistency and early-season challenges were magnified during their recent 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.
Ben Chilwell, playing in an unconventional left-wing position, faced difficulties, further highlighting Chelsea’s struggles.
The absence of Christopher Nkunku, a potential key to invigorating the attack, has hindered their ability to convert opportunities and dismantle defensive formations.
Unfortunately, Nkunku’s return is still months away due to a knee injury sustained during the pre-season.
Notably, he’s one of four key first-team players who are yet to feature under the guidance of the Argentine manager.
There’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon as Armando Broja inches closer to a comeback and could potentially see game time post the international break.
Pochettino emphasized the need for patience with Broja’s recovery, acknowledging the complexity of returning from an injury.
Pochettino acknowledged that the squad evaluation is crucial before making any decisions about acquiring new offensive players.
He highlighted that introducing unfit or inexperienced players might create further complications in the team’s dynamics.
Apart from Broja, Benoit Badiashile is also nearing his return after being sidelined since the previous season. Their comebacks could coincide with the progress of new signing Romeo Lavia and Reece James.
Lavia, who had limited pre-season training at Southampton, is being cautiously managed, while James has been plagued by recurring hamstring issues.
Pochettino expressed his sympathy for James, who suffered another hamstring strain during training.
Despite his absence from the England squad, James is anticipated to return shortly.
Meanwhile, Levi Colwill’s hamstring concerns were addressed through scans, providing relief as he joins his national side.
Trevoh Chalobah remains absent due to two injuries during the pre-season tour of America and an unsuccessful transfer attempt to Bayern Munich.
Carney Chukwuemeka’s knee injury, resulting from a collision during a match against West Ham, leaves him sidelined for approximately six weeks.
Chelsea faces an uphill battle as Pochettino strives to stabilize the team amidst a series of injuries.
The international break offers a crucial respite for players’ recovery, with hopes of a stronger and more competitive lineup in the near future.
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