3 days Ago By Jamie Dickenson
Chelsea are preparing to welcome back several key first-team players after six members of their squad missed the win over Bournemouth. Wesley Fofana and Cole Palmer both brushed off injury doubts to feature in the Blues’ late 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, with Christopher Nkunku grabbing the game’s only goal after an assist on debut from Jadon Sancho. Chelsea travel to West Ham on Saturday as they look to move up the Premier League table from their current eighth place.
Boss Enzo Maresca may be able to call upon the likes of Enzo Fernandez , Romeo Lavia and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at the London Stadium. Here’s a look at the latest Chelsea injury news ..
. Fernandez was a surprise absentee from the Chelsea starting lineup at Bournemouth, having started every Premier League game under Maresca so far this season. The midfielder played twice for Argentina during the recent international break, as they beat Chile 3-0 at home before losing 2-1 in Colombia.
But the Blues confirmed just before kick-off on the south coast that Fernandez was missing due to illness. He should be back this weekend. Potential return date: Saturday September 21, vs West Ham Dewsbury-Hall is another Chelsea player who missed the Bournemouth trip due to illness.
The 26-year-old has made five appearances for the Blues following his £30million summer switch from Leicester, but has yet to start a Premier League match. He will hope to be swiftly back in contention against the Hammers this weekend. Potential return date: Saturday September 21, vs West Ham Lavia played in Chelsea’s first two games of the season but has since been missing due to a hamstring injury.
The midfielder suffered an injury-hit first season at Stamford Bridge following his £52m switch from Southampton, but is now closing in on a return to fitness. Before the Bournemouth match, Maresca said: "Romeo Lavia is very close, hopefully he is back for the next game." Potential return date: Saturday September 21, vs West Ham Gusto has been sidelined with a thigh injury after being forced off during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace earlier this month.
The 21-year-old then withdrew from the France Under-21 squad, with Maresca ruling him out of the Bournemouth match. “Malo is still out, and he is not available for tomorrow's game,” he said in his pre-match press conference. Potential return date: Unknown James is a longer-term absentee for Chelsea, having not played for the club competitively since being sent off against Brighton in May.
The right-back was suspended for the first three Premier League games of this season, but a hamstring injury sustained over the summer has kept him out in any case. Maresca said before facing Bournemouth: “Unfortunately, Reece James needs more time.” Potential return date: Unknown.
