On Sunday, Chelsea will visit the Etihad Stadium with a lineup that is not Frank Lampard’s first preference. Despite having a 32-player roster to choose from, a slew of injuries has drastically reduced that.
As many as seven players may not play in the final three games of a grueling season, and several more may not be sure to play. Despite the significant investment over the previous 12 months, it has left the backline deficient and the midfield looking worn out.
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Due to injuries occurring before them in their position, Lewis Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka were both held back from England Under-20 World Cup duties. Some of the casualties on the list may never play again for the club.
Benoit Badiashile says it is not the best way to approach a match against a dominant Manchester City team that is now just two games away from completing the treble after winning the Premier League after Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Benoit Badiashile, a promising young defender for City, was ruled out, dealing Chelsea another setback before the match. The Frenchman, who scored his first goal for the team against Bournemouth, was included in the lineup for the draw with Nottingham Forest last weekend.
What Lampard said: “Benoit will not play in the game after injuring his groin in training two days ago. We are currently evaluating it.
harm: groin
N’Golo Kante is scheduled to return to action at Manchester United (A) on May 25.
Chelsea has suffered yet another setback as their stalwart Frenchman has yet again been ruled out due to injury. He has not yet agreed to a new contract, therefore his status for the remainder of the season is currently in doubt.
Due to a chronic hamstring ailment, Kante has had fitness issues the entire season. He missed every game between September and March. He has now experienced three separate setbacks.
What Lampard said: “He experienced a groin-related sensation. Therefore, that’s probably a couple of weeks, and we very much know what that entails. We must just keep moving forward.
Before Manchester City, he remarked, “We’re pretty much similar to where we have been recently in terms of Mason, Reece, Chilly, N’Golo, and Marc Cucurella not fit.”
Damage to: groin
Date of anticipated return: Unknown
Tomas Kovacic
According to Lampard, the Croatian was removed from the game in the first half of the 2-2 tie with Forest after entering as a risk. He may have now played his final match for the club before being replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Lampard’s words were: “I don’t know. I am aware that he had a minor problem before the game. In training yesterday, it was evident. I phoned him earlier to check on the situation. To be honest, I haven’t followed it since the game. We wish him well.
Damage: Unknown
Date of anticipated return: Unknown
Chilwell, Ben
In the 74th minute against Bournemouth, Ben Chilwell was substituted due to a hamstring injury. The England international missed 10 games earlier this season because of a similar injury.
He may no longer play this season after Lampard provided a concerning update.
He has been seen practicing on the Cobham grass again with James and Mount.
“Not fit,” Lampard remarked. No, we are hopeful that Chilly will be healthy enough to play in the final game or games of the season, but it’s a close call. Mason Mount and Reece [James] both have a similar story, though I believe Reece might be slightly behind Mason Mount in that regard. So it is evident that we are now pursuing it.
Before Manchester City, he remarked, “We’re pretty much similar to where we have been recently in terms of Mason, Reece, Chilly, N’Golo, and Marc Cucurella not fit.”
Damaged hamstring
Probably in the following season
Cucurella, Marc
Cucurella suffered an injury in practice that forced him to leave the Brentford match late. He too appears to be out for the remainder of the year.
The following is what Lampard said: “No, he won’t be fit for this game and again, probably questionable in line with the others for that final week of the season.”
Before Manchester City, he remarked, “We’re pretty much similar to where we have been recently in terms of Mason, Reece, Chilly, N’Golo, and Marc Cucurella not fit.”
Damaged quadriceps
Probably in the following season
Koulibaly Kalidou
In the first leg of the match against Real Madrid, Kalidou Koulibaly started in a back three for Chelsea, but after a lung-busting sprint to track back and deny Rodrygo a chance, the defender pulled up clutching his hamstring.
Kouli has been working out this week, but he’s probably not yet prepared for a game like tonight, according to Lampard. To be fair, he is ahead of schedule.
Damaged hamstring
Manchester United (A) – May 25 is the anticipated comeback date.
Charles James
James was observed feeling his hamstring during the first half of the Blues’ match at Stamford Bridge against Real Madrid. Even if the most recent report from Lampard was not particularly encouraging, the defender persevered and played the full 90 minutes despite appearing to be laboring for a brief period.
James is photographed with Mount and Chilwell while returning to some sort of outdoor training.
What Lampard said: “No, we’re hoping Chilly might be healthy in time for one or two more games of the season, but that’s a close call. Mason Mount and Reece [James] both have a similar story, though I believe Reece might be slightly behind Mason Mount in that regard. So it is evident that we are now pursuing it.
Before Manchester City, he remarked, “We’re pretty much similar to where we have been recently in terms of Mason, Reece, Chilly, N’Golo, and Marc Cucurella not fit.”
Damaged hamstring
Probably in the following season
Mason Mount
This season, Mount has endured several injuries in addition to a persistent pelvic condition. The two-time player of the season for the team is now likely to miss yet another game as rumors about his future spread.
“Had a minor procedure yesterday to sort out a discomfort I had for a while,” Mount wrote in a status statement on Instagram. Everything went smoothly, and I’m in high spirits. Time for a break, but I can’t wait to resume my workouts in the upcoming weeks! Thank you very much for your encouraging messages, and a big thank you to the medical staff, including the physicians and nurses, for taking care of me.
Since then, as seen by the club’s posting of a picture of their England star with the ball once more at his feet, he has resumed outside training.
Mason has had this pelvic ailment for a while; it predates me, according to what Lampard stated. We’ve tried, and the medical staff has tried, but we’ve reached the point where he will need a little operation. We anticipate a four-week recuperation, and we are aware of the results.
Before Manchester City, he remarked, “We’re pretty much similar to where we have been recently in terms of Mason, Reece, Chilly, N’Golo, and Marc Cucurella not fit.”
Ailment: Pelvis
Probably in the following season
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Andres Broja
Broja has been out of commission for a spell after hurting his knee during a mid-season friendly match against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old was stretchered from the playing field after screaming in agony after colliding with Ezri Konsa.
He appeared to be in a lot of discomfort and was seen gripping his leg as emergency personnel attended to him. The Albanian international’s injury was a huge setback because he had no prior knee problems.
As soon as it was discovered that Broja needed surgery to repair a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, he was predicted to miss at least the rest of the season. London at the time reported. He has recently, though largely in the gym, been photographed returning to individual training at Cobham.
The youthful striker is ahead of plan in his recovery, according to the Evening Standard, and is aiming to make a comeback for Chelsea during their pre-season tour of America.
Lampard’s comments: N/A
Ailment: knee
Probably in the following season
