Chelsea were beaten by Manchester United and suffered two big injury setbacks at Stamford Bridge as the Blues enter the final stage of the season
Liam Rosenior and Chelsea were dealt yet another setback in the race for Champions League football during their defeat to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The Blues could drop out of the European places if results go against them this weekend.
It’s been a torrid run of games for Chelsea, made worse by injuries to Estevao Willian and Enzo Fernandez during the defeat to the Reds. The Blues trail fifth-placed Liverpool by four points, have played a game more, and have lost four league games in a row without scoring for the first time in 28 years.
Across all competitions, that run extends to six defeats in their last seven outings, during which they have conceded 16 times, with seven of their nine goals scored coming against Sky Bet League One side Port Vale.
“Tonight was a really difficult result to take,” said Rosenior. “They’ve had one shot on our goal when we’re down to 10 men off an injury, and they score.
“Then we have wave after wave of attack, crosses in the box, moments that we don’t take advantage of. We have to keep working. We have to turn this around.”
Here, football.london takes a look at the latest Chelsea injury news and potential return dates:
Estevao
Estevao pulled up after chasing a lofted pass in behind the opposing defensive line. Following on-field medical attention, the 18-year-old winger indicated to the bench that he was unable to continue.
He hobbled off the pitch and headed straight down the tunnel. Speaking to the press after the final whistle, the Chelsea manager disclosed that Estevao was in tears at the interval.
Rosenior said: “He was crying at half time; it was really devastating for him. It looks like it’s his hamstring and that has happened in a moment when he’s running through on their goal for a one-v-one chance – he pulls his hamstring in that moment. I hope Este comes back sooner rather than later.”
Potential return dates: Unknown.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez seemed to pick up an injury during the second half of Chelsea’s loss to Manchester United. The 25-year-old midfielder asked to be withdrawn in the closing stages of the match after landing awkwardly inside the opposition box.
With the Blues pushing for an equaliser, Fernandez was quickly replaced by Lavia. It marked the second occasion that Liam Rosenior was compelled to make a substitution at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.
Rosenior said: “I just saw him in the dressing room – I think it was his calf. I’m hoping it’s cramp; he’s getting work on it right now because we want him, obviously, fit for Tuesday [against Brighton and Hove Albion].
“He ran himself into the ground for the club tonight and I expect nothing different from a man of his stature and quality.”
Potential return dates: Unknown.
Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro was not in the matchday squad to face Manchester United as a result of a thigh injury, football.london understands.
There’s hope the Brazilian will return to face his former club Brighton next week.
Possible return date: Brighton (A) – April 21.
Reece James
A further hamstring injury has sidelined James, though initial concerns that he might not feature again this season have since been allayed. The England international had managed to steer clear of any such problems for 18 months prior to this setback.
What Rosenior has said: “Reece is getting along really well, but he’s not ready yet. I don’t know [in terms of a return date] yet. We work day to day, and I don’t want to give a timeline and [the players] not come through with that timeline.”
Possible return date: Late April/Early May.
Levi Colwill
Colwill has been back in full Chelsea training for nearly a month, yet he remains some distance from pulling on the Blues shirt once more, as Rosenior has confirmed.
What Rosenior has said: “It’s great to have Levi back in full training, but it’s going to take him a few more weeks to tick those boxes before he’s ready [to feature].”
Possible return date: Late April/early May.
Jamie Gittens
Gittens was on the cusp of returning from injury before sustaining a fresh hamstring problem in training. What Rosenior has said: “Unfortunately, Jamie, in training yesterday, picked up what looks like a hamstring injury again. We have to scan him and make sure. It’s a real shame for him… I can’t give you a [RTP] time frame on that at the moment.”
Possible return date: N/A.
Benoit Badiashile
An illness has kept Badiashile out of Chelsea’s last five fixtures, and was expected to return against Man City, but there’s still no sign of the French defender.
Possible return date: Brighton (A) – April 21.
Filip Jorgensen
Rosenior ruled Jorgensen out for a few weeks back in March following surgery, indicating the goalkeeper could be set for an imminent comeback.
What Rosenior has said: “Unfortunately, he had his scan and needed a minor operation. Nothing too serious… that’s a matter of weeks.”
Possible return date: Brighton (A) – April 21.
