- Fitness concerns a familiar theme this season
- Pochettino having to keep shuffling his pack
- Several players to miss home date with Toffees
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Blues have seen their 2023-24 campaign blighted by fitness issues, with Mauricio Pochettino yet to find himself in a position where he can pick from a fully-fit squad. Those selection headaches are not about to ease any time soon.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Chelsea have revealed on the club’s official website that 11 players sat out training ahead of the club’s Premier League clash with Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday. Some of those are long-term absentees – with the likes of Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku continuing to work their way through lengthy rehabilitation programmes.
DID YOU KNOW?
New names have been added to the list, though, with Argentina international Fernandez among them. The World Cup winning-midfielder is nursing a knock that is forcing him to undergo “medical assessment”. The same is true for French defender Axel Disasi.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
England winger Raheem Sterling and Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez are both struggling with illness, meaning that Pochettino may have to tinker with his plans once again. Chelsea head into their home date with Everton sat ninth in the Premier League, but only five points adrift of Manchester United in sixth with games in hand held on all of those above them.
