Chelsea could be set for a significant boost for their next Premier League fixture against Fulham with the potential return from injury of Reece James. The dynamic right-back suffered an injury setback in his return match on Boxing Day against Bournemouth after suffering an initial knee injury in the Champions League clash with AC Milan on October 11.
Injuries to key players did not stop there though as Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and Denis Zakaria all joined Ben Chilwell, N'golo Kante and Armando Broja as long-term absentees. Sterling and Pulisic were both first-half casualties in the Premier League fixture against Manchester City at the start of 2023, with Zakaria suffering the same fate just over a week later in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham.
Due to those injuries, the Blues acted swiftly in the market particularly regarding forwards with Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke all arriving in west London this month.
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Felix, who was the first major attacking acquisition of the trio, was sent off on his debut at Craven Cottage just one day after the Blues confirmed his loan arrival from Atletico Madrid. subsequently deals for Mudryk and Madueke followed, with the former delivering a bright cameo in his Chelsea debut against Liverpool.
Six arrivals coming through the door could significantly bloat the Chelsea squad especially if departures are not sanctioned in the coming windows. Although Chelsea fans are likely excited to see more of Benoit Badiashile and Mudryk, and along with the return of Felix and debut of Madueke, a few other names could potentially be added to that excitement.
As per Nizaar Kinsella, Chelsea are hopeful of James featuring in some capacity for their next Premier League fixture against Fulham on February 3. The Blues' exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Man City gives Graham Potter more time to prepare for the second half of the season and possibly welcome back more current injury absentees.
A video posted to Chelsea's official Twitter account on Tuesday shows James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Sterling and Chilwell all training outside and doing similar exercises.
With Loftus-Cheek already back in the squad and James pushing for a spot in the squad on February 3, the duo could both be joined by Sterling and Chilwell, although the latter is recovering from an initial injury suffered before the World which could mean his reintegration back into the matchday squad will be handled with care.
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