Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was visibly emotional as he announced that two key players, Axel Disasi and Enzo Fernandez, are set to miss their upcoming clash against Everton due to injury concerns, which is a significant blow to the squad.
As Chelsea prepares to face Everton at Stamford Bridge this Saturday, Pochettino finds himself grappling with a string of injury setbacks, adding to the challenges of his debut season with the team.
The Argentine coach has been plagued by injuries throughout the campaign, with key players like Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia sidelined for extended periods, while Reece James and Christopher Nkunku have also endured spells on the sidelines.
Ahead of Monday night’s fixture against Everton, Chelsea is hopeful of the return of some players to bolster their squad.
Pochettino is expected to provide updates on Malo Gusto, who missed the previous game entirely, and Cole Palmer, who was forced off the pitch during last weekend’s encounter against Sheffield United.
However, there was disappointment as Axel Disasi and Enzo Fernandez were absent from the team’s weekly injury report.
Chelsea revealed that Robert Sanchez and Raheem Sterling are both sidelined due to sickness.
Additionally, despite their significant contributions this season, Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi are questionable for the upcoming match against Everton as they are currently undergoing medical evaluations.
Pochettino expressed uncertainty regarding their availability for Monday’s game during his pre-match press conference, stating that they are being assessed for various issues.
While Pochettino remains hopeful that their injuries are not severe, he emphasized the need to evaluate their fitness before making a decision on their inclusion in the squad.
There is some positive news for Chelsea as Ben Chilwell has returned to partial team training, raising hopes of his availability for the Everton clash.
However, several players including Lesley Ugochukwu, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Levi Colwill, and Wesley Fofana are still sidelined due to various injuries, and they continue to undergo rehabilitation programs.
