Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this weekend, with several players sidelined with recent injuries.
Chelsea will be without several players due to injury when they host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
The Blues did not make it to Liverpool in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup unscathed, with many members of the squad struggling on Merseyside. Just three days separating Wednesday’s midweek fixture and Saturday’s early kick-off won’t help matters either.
Despite only playing four times this season since the international break, his injury problems show no sign of abating. Xabi Alonso spoke about the situation in his pre-match press conference this weekend, sharing updates on six players.
Aaron Anselmino
“He’s not available yet; he’s got a few injuries. It’s going to be a few weeks before he’s fully fit,” Alonso said of Anselmino after missing a match-day squad for more than two months after the Carabao Cup second-round draw against Luton Town.
Potential return date: Leeds United (H) 21 November
Emiliano Martinez
A broken jaw continues to keep Martinez out, but Alonso admitted there is a chance the goalkeeper could return before the international break. He said, “Yes, there’s a chance. We’ll have to wait until next week, but we’ll see how things go; there’s a chance.”
Potential return date: Sunderland (A) 8 November
Jorrell Hato
Marco Palestra replaced Hatto midway through the second half of last weekend’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and was absent at Anfield. Alonso has now admitted that he too will not be able to attend the Man United game.
Potential return date: Sunderland (A) 8 November
Maxence Lacroix
A midweek hamstring problem will keep Lacroix out of the Manchester United clash, with Alonso admitting: “Max, he’s injured and we don’t expect him to be available before the international break. So he’ll be out for a couple of weeks.” However, football.london understands there are fears he could be out for the rest of the year.
Potential return date: December/January
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Moises Caicedo
After taking Caicedo off midway through the second half against Liverpool, Alonso explained that the midfielder had a “little problem”. However, it looks like that won’t stop him from playing this weekend, with Alonso saying on Friday: “No, no problem, it’s good for tomorrow.”
Return date: Man United (H) 31 October
Pep Chavarria
Chavarria, who suffered a slight problem in training the day before Chelsea’s game against Everton, comes after a three-week layoff. However, he is available again, with Alonso saying “Pep Chavarria is back in the squad”.
Return date: Man United (H) 31 October