Huge Boost : Azpilicueta, Kante, Pulisic: Chelsea injury news and return dates ahead of Tottenham clash
- Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta was stretched off after a serious looking injury against Southampton
Chelsea are likely to be without a number of key players ahead of a busy week of preparation at the club.
The Blues have won just one of their last ten games in all competitions and will be forced to look ahead following Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 defeat against Southampton at Stamford Bridge. Defender Cesar Azpilicueta suffered a nasty-looking injury in the loss.
Christian Pulisic, N’Golo Kane and Edouard Mendy are all expected to be out for Sunday’s clash with Spurs, with Azpilicueta and Armando Broja out of action for the foreseeable. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hasn’t played since a nine-minute cameo against Liverpool back in January.
So, with all that being said, football.london rounds up everything you need to know about Chelsea’s latest injury news and return dates ahead of another busy week.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Following the defender’s injury blow against the Saints, it seems Cesar Azpilicueta is in good spirits. Taking to social media, the Spaniard posted an update on Sunday afternoon accompanied by a cheesy grin.
”Hi everyone! Thank you all for your love and messages of support! My family and I would like to thank everyone who has been looking after me since yesterday’s incident…
”From the Chelsea medical team, to teammates and opponents, to St Mary’s and Cleveland Hospital and all staff members and doctors: a massive thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now, time to recover and I will see you soon on the pitch!”
Injury: Concussion
Expected return date: Late February/Early March
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic issued a two-word hint on his Chelsea return date earlier this month as he continues to nurse a knee injury. The 24-year-old came off second best in a collision with John Stones when the Blues locked horns with Manchester City in the Premier League earlier last month.
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The winger has posted an image of himself from when he limped off the pitch against City. Pulisic simply captioned his post: “Back soon.”
What Potter said: “No chance, no, he will be out past that [January transfer deadline] and there was never any consideration about him leaving anyway. He is a couple of months out.
“He is disappointed but he is optimistic about coming back quicker than two months. He is in that phase where he is keeping his fingers crossed and hoping his rehab goes well.”
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: March
N’Golo Kante
N’Golo Kante has been missing for large parts of Chelsea’s season and ongoing hamstring issues have halted his progress in recent weeks.
Said to be training on his own at present at Cobham, football.london understands Chelsea have some hope of Kante returning to team training by the end of the week. However, there will be no rush to return him to action too soon.
What Potter said: “N’Golo did his first couple of days out training on his own but there is still a long, long way to go.”
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Late February/Early March
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea confirmed that Mendy had undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained during training, meaning he will be absent from the squad in the coming games. The Senegalese shot-stopper has not been involved for two weeks and is expected to be out of action for at least six weeks.
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Unknown
Armando Broja
Chelsea are set to be without Broja until at least the summer months, after the striker suffered a knee injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
He looked to be in considerable pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international had no history of knee injuries and his injury is a major blow with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favour at present.
Broja is expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needs surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london understands.
What Potter said: ”It was just an unfortunate action. He got caught up with their player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment but it’s too early to say. Fingers crossed but it is an awkward one.”
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Summer/Autumn 2023