Chelsea’s Injury List Grows as Key Fixtures Loom in Premier League Battle | OneFootball

Chelsea Injury Woes Mount Ahead of Critical Premier League Fixtures

Chelsea’s hopes of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League have been dealt a blow following their FA Cup exit. After suffering a 2-1 defeat to Brighton over the weekend, the Blues are set to return to the Amex Stadium on Friday, eager to tighten their grip on a Champions League qualification spot. However, injuries are beginning to take their toll on Enzo Maresca’s squad, threatening to derail their momentum.

Key Fixtures on the Horizon

The clash against Brighton marks the beginning of a crucial period for Chelsea, with upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa and Southampton also on the calendar this month. Maresca will be keen to accumulate as many points as possible, but the growing injury list poses a significant challenge.

Reece James’ Managed Absence

Chelsea captain Reece James was notably absent from the squad that faced Brighton, raising alarms among the Stamford Bridge faithful given his history of injury setbacks over the past two seasons. However, Maresca moved swiftly to allay fears, confirming that James’ exclusion was part of a pre-planned strategy to manage his workload.

“It was planned,” Maresca assured. “He is okay. He’s training. It was just to protect him a bit.”

Photo: IMAGO

James is expected to make his return in February 2025, offering some relief to the injury-hit squad.

Injury Concerns Up Front

Striker Nicolas Jackson appeared to have tweaked his hamstring during last week’s 2-1 victory over West Ham. Although he managed to continue playing, he was eventually substituted and subsequently missed the Brighton match. Ahead of the fixture, Maresca clarified that Jackson’s injury was not severe.

“As I said a few days ago, it’s not a big injury but he needs some days off and hopefully for the next game he can be available,” the manager stated.

Jackson is also targeting a February 2025 return.

Meanwhile, Marc Guiu’s situation is far more concerning. The young striker went down clutching his knee during the West Ham encounter and had to be stretchered off. Maresca confirmed the worst ahead of the Brighton game.

“Marc Guiu, unfortunately, it’s a bad injury,” Maresca revealed. “Could be [long-term], yeah. We are still waiting but it doesn’t look a short injury. It’s a long injury. Probably weeks or months.”

Guiu’s return date remains uncertain, adding further strain to Chelsea’s attacking options.

Defensive Setbacks Continue

Benoît Badiashile has been sidelined since December with a thigh injury. Maresca indicated that the French defender could potentially return in February, though he was unavailable for the Brighton match. His return is projected between February and March 2025.

Romeo Lavia’s injury struggles have persisted into his second season at Chelsea. The Belgian midfielder suffered a muscle injury during last month’s draw against Bournemouth and has not featured since. Maresca acknowledged that Lavia still has “a long way to go” before making his comeback. His return date is currently unknown.

Photo: IMAGO

Wesley Fofana’s hamstring injury, sustained in December against Aston Villa, adds to Chelsea’s defensive woes. Initially, Maresca hinted that Fofana could miss the remainder of the season, though there is cautious optimism that he might return earlier. However, no definitive timeline has been provided.

Chelsea’s Resilience to Be Tested

As Chelsea navigate this challenging period, the squad’s depth and resilience will be thoroughly tested. With key players sidelined, Enzo Maresca faces the daunting task of keeping the Blues’ Champions League aspirations on track. The upcoming fixtures against Brighton, Aston Villa, and Southampton will be pivotal in determining whether Chelsea can overcome these injury setbacks and maintain their push for a top-four finish.