Chelsea will be without several of their stars for their Premier League opener against Liverpool.
The Blues host Jurgen Klopp’s side at Stamford Bridge as the club look to start their campaign off on a positive note. It is a tough test for Mauricio Pochettino’’s first official game in charge but a win would send a warning to the rest of their top-flight rivals.
However, Chelsea were recently dealt a major blow after it was revealed that new signing Christopher Nkunku is set to be sidelined for months after suffering meniscus damage in the club’s friendly with Borussia Dortmund. With the season just a few days away, the Chelsea boss will hope for no more bad news as soccerhuz.com takes a look at the latest updates surrounding the club’s injury list ahead of their clash with Liverpool on Sunday:
Christopher Nkunku
The forward was taken off in the first half against Dortmund after a challenge from Mats Hummels. It has been confirmed that his injury is worse than initially feared, with soccerhuz.com being told that he may face a few months on the sidelines.
What Pochettino has said: “The doctors are checking him and I hope it is not a big issue. He fell in the action which was maybe a penalty and he feels something in his knee but we hope it is nothing big. We hope he can be back quickly with the team, we need a few days to assess him.”
Expected return date: January 2024
Noni Madueke
After winning the Euros with England Under-21s, a hamstring injury has seen Madueke miss Chelsea’s pre-season, however he has now returned to training.
What Pochettino has said: After the Newcastle game on July 27: “It’s only Noni that suffers [with an injury] but it is something that we think can be sorted in the next few days.”
Expected return date: Liverpool (H) Sunday, August 13.
Benoit Badiashile
The defender is another that has missed Chelsea’s pre-season schedule due to the serious hamstring injury he sustained last season. He will not return against Liverpool but Badiashile has posted pictures of himself training at Cobham. It has been reported that the club are targeting his return to be the third game of the campaign against Luton.
Expected return date: Luton (H) Friday, August 25
Armando Broja
Broja has not featured since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the winter friendly with Aston Villa, back in December. He is continue to work on his recovery at Cobham.
Expected return date: Unknown.
Wesley Fofana
The centre-back is set for another significant spell on the sidelines as he begins his recovery for a serious knee injury. football.london understands that Fofana has ruptured his ACL and will require surgery, which the defender suggested in a cryptic post on social media.
What Pochettino has said: “Really sad, really bad news. We feel so sad. We can only help him and to be again with the team we know it is tough. We need to help him and wish him all the best. We need to keep going, the competition is there. The competition doesn’t wait for anyone and we need to be ready.
“I hope yes. You have all of the information that this is difficult. He is evolving in a different way but hopefully his recovery goes very well.”
Expected return date: Spring 2024
