4 days Ago
Enzo Maresca 's men return to top-flight action at the King Power Stadium in the lunchtime kickoff aiming to build on their unexpectedly bright start to the campaign, which has left them in third place in the Premier League table . Key to Chelsea's success in the 2024-25 season so far has been an enviable level of squad depth, which was initially a point of ridicule for rivals fans as the hierarchy splashed the cash over the summer once again. However, the Blues' embarrassment of riches has meant that Maresca has been able to field entirely different teams in the Premier League and Conference League, and the West London giants have managed to avoid an injury crisis thus far.
Chelsea's doctors have still been taking care of a few faces over the international break, though, including Palmer and Colwill, who both withdrew from the England squad for November's round of fixtures. © Imago Palmer felt the full force of a heavy Lisandro Martinez tackle during Chelsea's clash with Manchester United earlier this month, although he was able to pit his wits against Arsenal just before the international period intervened. Sancho is also yet to make a Chelsea squad this month due to a combination of illness and a knock, while the reason for Colwill's England withdrawal has not been disclosed.
However, all three were able to take part in the Blues' training session on Monday, suggesting that they will be fit and raring to go for the 12.30pm kickoff against the Foxes on Saturday. Colwill and Palmer have both become integral parts of the Blues' Premier League XI under Maresca, while Manchester United loanee Sancho immediately forced his way into the starting lineup and provided assists in three straight games versus Bournemouth, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Sancho's absence has allowed Pedro Neto to stake his claim for regular starts on the left-hand side, though, and he justified his selection against Arsenal with a terrific equaliser in that 1-1 stalemate . Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho and Levi Colwill all trained for Chelsea ahead of Leicester on Saturday.🏃♂️ pic.
twitter.com/BzX83yhcbI Even if all of Palmer, Sancho and Colwill are given the green light to take part in Saturday's game, Chelsea may not have a complete clean bill of health, as Romeo Lavia hurt his hamstring on international duty with Belgium. The 20-year-old has played down his injury as nothing more than "a little blow" , though, so there is every chance that he will be able to reprise his role in the engine room at the King Power.
Having Lavia fit and ready may be a necessity for Maresca, as it remains to be seen how fit and able Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are following their late returns from South America. Wesley Fofana (knee) and Malo Gusto (ankle) also had to withdraw from their respective France teams this month, and the availability of both defenders for this weekend is currently up in the air..
