Chelsea head into their final match of the 2021/22 Premier League season on Sunday afternoon with Thomas Tuchel looking to wrap the campaign off in style. The Blues secured third-place on Thursday night thanks to their 1-1 draw with Leicester City, but will be aiming to return to winning ways against the already-relegated Watford.
The west Londoners' home form has been below-par this season, so a win is by no means guaranteed against the Hornets. However, Chelsea will be confident they can finish what has been an extremely eventful season off with three points at Stamford Bridge.
For Tuchel, it's a chance to perhaps show off some of the club's most talented academy players with the game essentially meaningless in the two teams' respective seasons. The German coach also has some injury problems to contend with ahead of matchday 38, which football.london lists below...
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Timo Werner
Tuchel confirmed earlier in the week that Werner will be sidelined for the final game of the season due to a hamstring problem. The Germany international suffered the injury while warming up in the FA Cup final.
Expected return date: Pre-season
Andreas Christensen
Christensen has been involved in plenty of controversy recently after Tuchel revealed the defender withdrew himself from selection for the FA Cup final last weekend. The Chelsea head coach said earlier in the week that Christensen is "probably unlikely" to be available for the clash against Watford.
Expected return date: Pre-season
Mateo Kovacic
Kovacic has been struggling with an ankle problem ever since the horror tackle from Leeds United's Dan James recently. The Croatian did feature against Liverpool in the FA Cup final, but was then sidelined for the draw with Leicester on Thursday.
"As you can imagine, Kova has a big swollen ankle after the match. So, I'm not sure he will be back," Tuchel said before the Leicester game, so it remains to be seen whether the midfielder will be played against Watford.
Expected return date: Unknown
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Hudson-Odoi will not return for Sunday's clash with Watford, Tuchel confirmed earlier in the week. The winger has been missing for some time now, and will step up his recovery at the start of pre-season.
Expected return date: Pre-season
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell has been missing for the second half of the season after a campaign-ending injury. The left-back, like Hudson-Odoi will return in pre-season as they hope to get back up to full fitness ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Expected return date: Pre-season
