16 players could miss Chelsea vs Man Utd as Enzo Maresca provides Reece James update

As many as 16 players could miss Chelsea’s clash against Manchester United. The Blues will host Ruben Amorim’s side at Stamford Bridge on Friday night as Enzo Maresca looks to climb the Premier League.

Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle last weekend, which dented their hopes of securing UEFA Champions League qualification. Fortunately for the west Londoners, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest dropped points against teams who have already been relegated to the Championship.

As for United, they’ll be keen to build momentum ahead of the UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up all the latest injury news and return dates.

Chelsea could be without nine players…

Chelsea could be without nine players. Earlier this month, Maresca announced that Christopher Nkunku, who has struggled to impress since joining the Blues from RB Leipzig for £52m a couple of years ago, could miss the rest of the season due to injury.

“Christo will be out for, I’m not sure, I think one week, two weeks,” said the Chelsea boss following the 3-1 win over Liverpool. “We are going to see. He will be out for the next 10 days, 15 days.”

Then, speaking to reporters ahead of the west Londoners’ clash against United, Maresca confirmed that Nkunku remains unavailable. The Italian did, however, reveal that Reece James was okay after missing Tuesday’s training session at Cobham due to illness.

The Chelsea captain trained as usual on Wednesday. Wesley Fofana was underwent surgery in April after suffering a hamstring injury, and he’ll will miss the remainder of the campaign.

Omari Kellyman was also forced to undergo surgery on a hamstring problem earlier this year. The 19-year-old midfielder, who the Blues signed from Aston Villa for £19m last summer, is still yet to make his first-team debut for the club.

Mykhailo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended from football after failing a drug test in December. There has been no update on the 24-year-old winger since the end of last year.

Aaron Anselmino could still be out too. The 20-year-old defender, who Chelsea recalled early from a loan spell at former club Boca Juniors back in January, has been nursing a hamstring injury. Like Kellyman, he’s also yet to make his first-team debut for the club.

Marc Guiu suffered a knee injury during the Blues’ win over West Ham back in December. Earlier this month, Maresca suggested the 19-year-old striker could return to the pitch before the end of the season.

But, speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, the Italian revealed that Guiu was still injured. Chelsea will, of course, also be without Nicolas Jackson for the final two games of the season after picking up a red card against Newcastle United last weekend.

Jadon Sancho will also miss the game as he’s unable to play against his parent club.

United could miss seven players…

Meanwhile, United are set to be without seven players. Speaking to reporters at Carrington training ground on Wednesday, Amorim conceded that four defenders could miss the trip to London.

Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro are all nursing injuries, but they could be back in time for the Europa League final next week. Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee are also out.

Toby Collyer and Jonny Evans have recently returned to first-team training, however, and could be available to face Chelsea. The Manchester Evening News have reported that Ayden Heaven will return to the United squad after a spell on the sidelines.

Amorim said: “Like I said to you, I don’t know [my XI for the final yet]. I know the starting XI I am thinking for Chelsea, then I will see. Even the way we play there, against Chelsea, I will see it and it’s going to be important for the next one.”