James, Nkunku, Silva - Chelsea injury news and return dates for Tottenham with last game worry
Chelsea's injury issues continue to be unrelenting for Mauricio Pochettino. He was already missing 12 players for the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday but saw things get even worse late on.
Having clawed back into the game in a fine second-half display, the Blues lost Thiago Silva late on. He was replaced by Axel Disasi, who almost went on to win the match only for his header to be ruled out for offside.
Disasi was one of two players over the age of 21 on the bench for Chelsea alongside third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. The average age of the options available had an average age of just 20.67.
Chelsea host Tottenham on Thursday in a game that will define the race for European competition in one way of another. Here, football.london has the latest from the Chelsea treatment room.
Thiago Silva
Silva was taken off late in the draw with Aston Villa on Saturday, replaced by Axel Disasi. It has since been confirmed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, as expected.
There are fears that he could have played his last game in Chelsea blue with just over three weeks left of the season. He suffered a knock that kept him out for over a month in February.
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Injury: Groin.
What Pochettino has said: N/A.
Possible return date: Tottenham (H) - Thursday, May 2.
Reece James
James has just begun partial first-team training following an extended period on the sidelines. The 24-year-old defender has been undergoing rehabilitation for a muscle issue which has kept him out of action for a large chunk of the season.
Injury: Hamstring.
What Pochettino has said: "No, they are not available yet. They are close. Today and yesterday they were doing some partial training with the squad. They are close but still not available."
Possible return date: May.
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku is now back in partial team training, according to the official club website. The 26-year-old forward has been out for most of the season, and he's currently missing with a hamstring issue.
Injury: Hamstring.
What Pochettino has said: "They assess him day by day and in the last few days he has the possibility to be involved in some parts of the training session. We now need to see the reaction of his body and see how he evolves. We hope he can be involved soon."
Possible return date: May.
Levi Colwill
Colwill has been nursing a toe injury, which has caused him to miss some big games for Chelsea. The 21-year-old defender has been ruled out of action for a while now, but he's recently returned to partial first-team training.
Injury: Toe.
What Pochettino has said: "No, they [James and Colwill] are not available yet. They are close. Today and yesterday they were doing some partial training with the squad. They are close but still not available."
Possible return date: May.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling was added to Chelsea's injury report on Friday, just over 24 hours before the Premier League clash against Aston Villa. He wasn't included in the squad for the match.
What Pochettino has said: "Sterling suffered a pain in his lower back." He added: "Hopefully it's not a big issue and they [Sterling and Chukwuemeka] can be available as soon as possible because now we are going to lose two players who were there and thinking can help the team."
Injury: Back.
Possible return date: Unknown.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Chukwuemeka has seen his debut season at Chelsea continue to be riddled by injuries with a recurrence of a previous problem seeing him added back to the injury report.
What Pochettino has said: "Carney feels something in his knee. Related to his problem before. Hopefully it's not a big issue and they can be available as soon as possible because now we are going to lose two players who were there and thinking can help the team."
Injury: Knee.
Possible return date: Unknown.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing groin surgery. The Argentine was forced off against Everton during the 6-0 win for the Blues but has been forced to go under the knife to correct the issue.
In a statement on Thursday, the club wrote: "Enzo Fernandez has today undergone successful surgery on a groin issue and will now begin a period of rehabilitation, sidelining him for the remainder of Chelsea’s 2023/24 season.
"The 23-year-old midfielder will work with the club's medical department on his rehabilitation at Cobham."
What Pochettino has said: "At the moment he feels the pain and he feels the limitations because of the problem. The most important thing is to fix the problem for him. If he does not feel well, he cannot perform because of the situation, it's not good for him, the team or the club."
Injury: Groin.
Possible return date: Next season.
Malo Gusto
Gusto was absent from the matchday squad against Arsenal after picking up a knock against Manchester City. The France international is back on the Chelsea injury report and missed the draw with Villa.
Injury: Knee.
What Pochettino has said: "Malo suffered a minor problem in his knee ligaments. I am not a doctor, but you asked me and I respect trying to translate what is going on. I hope it is not a big issue."
Possible return date: Unknown.
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell was absent from the matchday squad against Arsenal despite featuring off the bench against Manchester City just days earlier. He was also out of the Villa clash.
injury: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: "Chilly, also, after the national team – it's the same problem he suffered in the last few weeks."
Possible return date: Unknown.
Robert Sanchez
Sanchez has been out of the side for nearly two months now. Marcus Bettinelli has been deputising.
Injury: Unknown.
Possible return date: Tottenham (H) - Thursday, May 2.
Romeo Lavia
Lavia is 'continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme'. The 20-year-old midfielder has featured just once for Chelsea this season, having struggled to stay match-fit and escape injury.
Injury: Thigh.
Possible return date: Next season.
Lesley Ugochukwu
The Frenchman has returned to partial team training after four months out. The 20-year-old midfielder's last appearance came on Christmas Eve.
Injury: Unknown.
Possible return date: Next season.
Wesley Fofana
Fofana hasn't featured once this season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament. The 23-year-old defender has recently returned to training on the pitches at Cobham, though he's considered to be a long way from returning to first-team action.
Injury: ACL.
What Pochettino has said: "Unfortunately, I think it is difficult to see Wes playing this season, but you never know."
Possible return date: Next season.