Chelsea have been dealt two worrying injury updates less than one week into the final international break of the season. The Blues have seen most of their senior squad leave Cobham for around a fortnight to carry out duties with their national sides.
Thiago Silva is one of very few that remain behind at the Surrey training base having lost his place in the Brazil squad. Mauricio Pochettino has so far been yet to turn to the 39-year-old since his return from injury.
The break will allow for him to keep progressing towards full fitness ahead of the final stretch of fixtures this term which include an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City next month. Benoit Badiashile is also waiting to get back in the side following a lengthy layoff himself.
However, two of Mauricio Pochettino’s standouts from the win over Leicester last week, a duo that has struggled with injuries themself this term, have suffered setbacks. As well as an early scare with Cole Palmer – who missed the first training session with England at St George’s Park on Wednesday – Malo Gusto has now dropped out of action for his country.
The full-back was called up to France’s Under-23 squad for matches against Ivory Coast and USA. Due to feature for Thierry Henry over the break as preparation for the Olympic games in Paris this summer, Gusto will return back to Cobham, reports suggest.
L’Equipe write that Gusto has been suffering with an illness and will recover at home. He has previously struggled with fitness this season, missing four games across November and December after the last international break. He has played plenty of football recently though, and Pochettino will hope he can be back in time to play Burnley at Stamford Bridge on March 30.
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Carney Chukwuemeka has also become a small doubt for that game. He scored the winner against Leicester on Sunday, coming from the bench late on, but has picked up a minor issue.
“Carney Chukwuemeka misses out with a slight knock but is expected to be back for the game on Tuesday,” the commentator said during coverage of England Under-21s’ comprehensive 5-1 win over Azerbaijan on Friday. Chukwuemeka has only started three games for the Blues in all competitions this season due to a consistent run of setbacks after an early knee injury.
His Chelsea career has been stunted so far but the quality showed against Leicester were an indicator of the talent available. The 20-year-old will now be aiming to get himself into Pochettino’s plans.
He will need to harness some of the form shown by Palmer to get a spot in the side on a frequent basis though. Palmer has pushed himself into England senior side reckoning with a stunning debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Although he trained indoors at the Burton-based complex initially, he has now joined up with the rest of Gareth Southgate’s group ahead of friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. Palmer received his first cap in the last set of internationals before Christmas.
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