Madueke, Caicedo – Chelsea injury report and return dates ahead of Aston Villa blow.
Mauricio Pochettino had a triple Chelsea injury boost in the week before a Premier League match against Aston Villa. Club-record acquisition Moises Caicedo is the latest Blues player to suffer a muscle injury.
Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, and Benoit Badiashile are now away, although they are expected back by the end of the year. Early this week, Nkunku shared an injury statement indicating his recuperation was proceeding well.
Aston Villa and other Premier League teams will be in European football action in the coming days, but Pochettino will have extra time with his players at Cobham. The latest injury news from Stamford Bridge is on football.london.
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke missed the match against Bournemouth owing to a muscular injury he picked up with the England Under-21s during the international break. Tuesday saw Madueke return to Chelsea training.
Pochettino: “Noni came from the national team with a muscle problem.”
Return: Aston Villa (H)—September 24
Marc Cucurella
Illness kept Cucurella from the Bournemouth match. Tuesday saw the Spain international return to Chelsea training.
“Cucurella, fever, yesterday he was at home and today continues still.”
Return: Aston Villa (H)—September 24
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo was seen with a strapped right thigh while with Ecuador over the international break, suggesting a knock. He appeared to have blue kinesiology tape across his knee, which aids joint movement and muscles.
Returning to Chelsea, he trained at Cobham as usual. He was rested against the Cherries and will be evaluated on Monday. This weekend’s Premier League match against Aston Villa should feature the 21-year-old.
Caicedo returned from international break with a knee injury, according to Pochettino. We’ll assess tomorrow.”
Return: Aston Villa (H)—September 24
Chukwuemeka
Chukwuemeka scored the sole goal in the 3-1 loss to West Ham, but he left the London Stadium on crutches after injuring his knee before halftime. football.london reports Chukwuemeka could miss six weeks. An early return is possible.
After hints of fitness, Noni Madueke posted a story on Instagram of Chukwuemeka in full training gear and outside.
According to Pochettino, “It shouldn’t take months, maybe weeks. I hope we can rejoin the team shortly. After scoring, he was hurt. You can’t control everything.
“Unlucky, but I think he can get stronger because he feels the need to work and compete. He’s young, so he’ll be much better when we start again.”
The return date is unknown.
Lavia
Lavia has yet to make an appearance for Chelsea, with Pochettino preferring him to catch up to the rest of the group in terms of fitness. The Belgian midfielder may miss his Blues debut due to an ankle muscle rupture during the international break.
football.london reports that Lavia’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least one month, possibly until October.
Pochettino: “We’re sad since he trained well last week during the international break. He twisted his ankle and we’re waiting for doctor’s results on Monday. He has not trained with the team in the last week. We hope it’s not a significant deal.
“It’s sad because he was nearly fit to play again. Yes, we must wait, but perhaps he and the squad won’t mind.
“We need to evaluate him before determining his return. He twisted his ankle and needs evaluation. We don’t know his recovery time.”
The return date is unknown.
Armando Broja
Armando Broja did not return to the Chelsea squad this weekend, despite comments from the Albanian FA during the international break. The Blues’ president, Armando Duka, said the attacker would play against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
In his pre-game press conference, Pochettino disagreed and did not name the striker.
Pochettino stated: “Who said he could start against Bournemouth this weekend? Who is Albanian FA? The coach? That president? I didn’t hear. Not true. Not yet.”
Return: Aston Villa (H)—September 24
Benoit Badiashile
Benoit Badiashile likely will return after missing the first few weeks of the season due to a hamstring injury sustained in the 2022/23 season. On Monday, the club’s social media account shared a video of Badiashile training, but Pochettino said he wouldn’t be ready yet.
Pochettino: “Not ready to play. Broja-like setting.”
Return: Aston Villa (H)—September 24
Reece James
James posted on Instagram that he’ll be ‘back soon’ after his training-related hamstring injury. He sat with Todd Boehly, John Terry, and Lavia at Stamford Bridge during the Luton match.
After posting a photo of himself in training gear with the phrase “Back to it soon”, the right-back is expected to return after the September international break.
According to Pochettino, “He’s recuperating. I don’t know if he’s near because we evaluate him daily, but he’s doing stuff with the ball on the pitch. His health is excellent. He wants to play for the team. I hope it’s close so he can play before the next international break.”
Expect return late October.
Trevoh Chalobah
Trevoh Chalobah hasn’t played this season and was anticipated to leave during the transfer window. Pre-season fitness issues have plagued the defender.
Two times during Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the US, he went down and was substituted. Since then, he hasn’t trained and the club’s weekly general statement has been the only update.
Pochettino answered “Yes, of course. My name is Chelsea. Am the coach. His future is here. Our plans include him. No one will decide for me. He will participate.
Since the transfer window is over, he will be involved in choices. I have plans for Chalobah and the rest of the team. Not all players play, but that’s my call.”
Return: Aston Villa (H)—September 24
Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku has been sidelined since being substituted in the club’s final pre-season encounter against Borussia Dortmund. After joining for nearly £60million in the summer, Pochettino conceded he’d be missed in the first half of the season.
Pochettino: “Sorry about him. He played well and was crucial to us. One of the best offensive players who can play multiple positions is always a problem for us. It’s now about ignoring the injuries and focusing on when he can return to us and recuperate well.
“We are working in the market and will miss one player like this. The club is looking for a short-, medium-, or long-term solution to add the proper profile for the team to perform.”
As you can imagine, I’m unhappy not to be with my teammates at the opening of the season. It’s hard to have missed you at the Bridge. I’ll try hard to recover. A question of time.”
Expected return: January 2024
Wesley Fofana
After tearing his ACL, Fofana will miss more time.
“Sad, horrible news, Pochettino stated. We’re sad. We can only aid him, and rejoining the team is hard. He needs our support and best wishes. Competition is there, therefore we must continue. The competition doesn’t wait, so be ready.
I hope so. Everything shows that this is hard. His evolution is different, but I hope he recovers well.”
Return expected: Spring 2024.
Madueke, Caicedo – Chelsea injury report and return dates ahead of Aston Villa blow.