All the latest Chelsea injury news and updates ahead of the Blues’ clash with Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg
Chelsea are back in action this week when they face Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. The Blues are currently 1-0 down after the first leg, meaning they must defeat the Championship side to book their place at Wembley.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men head into the clash off the back of a 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend. The West Londoners secured three crucial points in the race for Champions League qualification, while Boro were held to a 1-1 draw against Rotherham two days ago.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, they could have to face them without some big names. So, with that being said, football.london has collated all the latest injury news and updates from Stamford Bridge.
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku has missed a large chunk of the campaign due to a knee injury he picked up in pre-season. Shortly after his return from the treatment room, Pochettino sparked concern by admitting he was ‘worried’ about the Frenchman’s situation.
What Pochettino has said: “It’s true that now, in the next few days, we are going to see the situation. That’s why I told you that I was a little worried. I still don’t have all the information about whether he is going to be available or not for a small initial period. We need to be very clinical to take some decisions to think and see how we fix the problem.”
Expected return date: Middlesbrough (H) Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg, January 23
Reece James
Shortly after returning from the treatment room, James suffered another hamstring injury during Chelsea’s clash against Everton last month. He has been out ever since, and it remains unclear when he’ll be back.
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, and we are going to help and be involved in this way.
“It is always tough for a player with a very complicated, difficult season for him. Now is the time to start to recover. One day less until he is part of the group, and we are going to take it in a positive way because the most important thing is to start to solve the problem and, of course, help him to be strong and positive. It is an important thing, and that is why this amazing institute that the club has to support in that case is needed for Reece to be in his best form and recover as soon as possible.”
Expected return date: Unknown
Lesley Ugochukwu
Ugochukwu started for Chelsea against Wolves on Christmas Eve, but he was taken off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He’s currently following a rehabilitation programme.
What Pochettino has said: N/A
Expected return date: Unknown
Romeo Lavia
After finally making his debut for Chelsea against Crystal Palace just after Christmas, Lavia suffered a thigh problem. The teenage midfielder is believed to be undergoing a rehabilitation programme, but it remains unclear at this stage when he’ll be in a position to return.
What Pochettino has said: “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 that I was changing positions with Lavia at the end because he was struggling to run. We will see what is going on.
“Hopefully it is not a big issue and he can play with us again. It is an important player that will recover, and it is going to be a shame if we cannot use him in the next few games.”
Expected return date: Unknown
Robert Sanchez
Sanchez suffered a knee injury in Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United last month, but he was passed fit to feature against the Toffees. After aggravating his knock during the second half at Goodison Park, the Spaniard was replaced by Djordje Petrovic.
What Pochettino has said: “It is an injury that’s going to be for a few weeks; I don’t know if two, three, four, five, or six. We will assess it day-by-day to know how to follow it. His recovery will depend on him and the reaction of his knee and it is difficult to say in two or three weeks but we hope he is back as soon as possible
Expected return date: Late January or early February
Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah has been nursing a thigh injury this season, and he’s yet to feature for Chelsea. The defender was once a staple in the Blues backline, but now he seems to face an uncertain future.
What Pochettino has said: “The good news is that Trevoh Chalobah has started to work with the group. We need to assess him day by day to see if he can help us. But he is doing well. He’s been training now with the group.”
Expected return date: Unknown
Marc Cucurella
Cucurella hasn’t featured for Chelsea since the Blues’ trip to Goodison Park in December after picking up an ankle injury. The defender later confirmed on social media that he had undergone surgery on the issue. Now he’s undergoing a rehabilitation programme.
What Pochettino has said: N/A
Expected return date: March
Wesley Fofana
Fofana is set to miss most of the season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season training. He’s returned to training on the pitches at Cobham.
What Pochettino has said: “Fofana maybe needs more time.”
Expected return date: April 2024