Chelsea’s concerns with injuries persist as they gear up to take on West Ham United in a pivotal Premier League London derby this Sunday at Stamford Bridge....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Despite their roster being depleted, the Blues showcased resilience in their commendable 2-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday. The absence of 14 key players, including stalwarts like Reece James, Raheem Sterling, and Ben Chilwell, didn’t hinder Chelsea’s ability to secure the victory.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino seemed poised to celebrate a win without further fitness setbacks, but Alfie Gilchrist’s late injury necessitated an unexpected substitution, offering debutant Josh Acheampong a chance to shine. While there’s been no official update on Gilchrist’s condition, initial signs indicate it might not be a severe issue.
Should Gilchrist recover in time, he’s likely to bolster the defensive lineup alongside stalwarts Benoit Badiashile and Marc Cucurella. However, the potential return of Levi Colwill and Axel Disasi could present selection dilemmas for manager Pochettino.
In midfield, Cesare Casadei emerges as one of the more experienced options on the bench, while Conor Gallagher and Moises Caicedo are expected to maintain their partnership in the midfield engine room. Meanwhile, Cole Palmer is poised to play a pivotal role in orchestrating Chelsea’s attacking maneuvers.
While Christopher Nkunku’s return to team training is a positive development, his injury history suggests that he may not be risked from the start against West Ham. Instead, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, and Mykhaylo Mudryk are likely to spearhead Chelsea’s offensive efforts.