Chelsea will be looking to make it four wins on the bounce when they host relegation-threatened Everton on Saturday. This will be the Blues' final game before the international break, and Graham Potter's outfit could complete an exemplary March after an incredibly troubling start to the year.
This clash is the reverse fixture from the opening match of the season, which the visitors won 1-0 courtesy of a Jorginho penalty. Fast forward the best part of seven months and things look rather different in both camps.
While Potter replaced the outgoing Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, and welcomed a whole host of new signings along the way, the Toffees will also have a new man in the dugout after Sean Dyche took the hot seat from Frank Lampard. Chelsea's recent upturn in form has coincided with the return of some key individuals in their squad, most notably Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling.
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However, despite the return of these important players, Potter remains without several regular starters. Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Thiago Silva - as well as Sterling and James - all missed the win over Leicester City last weekend.
Ahead of this week's game against Everton, Chelsea were handed a major boost with the return of James, Mount and Edouard Mendy to training this week. Here, football.london rounds up all the latest injury news for the game as Potter prepares to welcome back several faces for the game at SW6, including one of the most important players in the squad who has been out since August.
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea confirmed early in January that Mendy had undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained during training, meaning that he would be absent from the squad for some time. The Senegalese shot-stopper was expected to miss at least six weeks and has featured in individual training.
Mendy finally made his return to training on Tuesday, pictured alongside his fellow goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Marcus Bettinelli.
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Late March/April
Mason Mount
Mason Mount has struggled to break into the first-team in recent weeks. The midfielder has missed a number of games after suffering with an issue in his lower abdomen. Mount has been in and out of training, but returned on Tuesday along with a number of other teammates.
What Potter said: "Mason’s had a problem with his lower abdomen area, the bone, so he’ll miss the game tomorrow [against Leeds]. We hope it won’t be too long but tomorrow will be too soon."
Injury: Lower abdomen
Expected return date: Everton (H) - Saturday, March 18.
Joao Felix
In the clash with Leicester, Ricardo Pereira was pictured tussling with Felix in a 'disgusting' manner. The Foxes defender appeared to plant the underside of his boot onto the Chelsea star's right ankle, causing him quite considerable pain.
Andre Marriner, the on-field referee, did not deem Pereira's challenge to be a foul nor did VAR, who didn't check the altercation. Felix, who was subject to a number of fouls on Saturday afternoon, was then taken off at half-time but Potter has clarified it was a tactical decision.
What Potter has said: "No [he did not pick up an injury], just tactically, I wanted to use an extra midfielder. I felt we needed someone who could ball win, a different profile and I thought Conor was fantastic when he came on."
Injury: N/A
Expected return date: Everton (H) March 18.
Reece James
James returned to the Chelsea starting line-up for the clash against Borussia Dortmund after missing the clash with Leeds due to tightness in his hamstring. The full-back missed another Premier League game at the weekend through illness, but Potter was handed a boost as the defender returned to training on Tuesday.
What Potter has said: "Reece [James] has been ill so hasn’t trained today. He won’t make the game tomorrow."
Injury: Illness
Expected return date: Everton (H) March 18.
Raheem Sterling
After scoring a crucial goal against Borussia Dortmund, Sterling could be set for another brief spell out of the team with Potter confirming the winger has a fresh fitness concern.
What Potter has said: "Raheem [Sterling] has had a little feeling in his hamstring, tightness if anything, so he's looking doubtful."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Everton (H) - Saturday, March 18.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The chances of Aubameyang winning a spot back in the Chelsea team have taken another hit with the veteran forward suffering from a problem in his back. The Blues frontline is beginning to take shape with Kai Havertz bagging another goal this weekend and returned to training on Tuesday.
What Potter has said: "[Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang has a slight problem with his back and he's looking likely he will miss the game."
Injury: Back
Expected return date: Everton (H) - Saturday, March 18.
N'Golo Kante
Kante, who sees his contract at Chelsea expire in the summer, is yet to feature under Potter after suffering a hamstring injury against Tottenham in August. The midfielder has recently returned to first-team training but is yet to be included on the team sheet.
It remains to be seen exactly how long it will take for him to return to full fitness but his return will be a hugely welcome boost and could come against Everton.
What Potter said: "He won’t be – still needs more time to build up. We aiming maybe for Everton. Unfortunately, not for tomorrow."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Everton (H) - Saturday, March 18.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta sustained a concussion against Southampton following a collision with striker Sekou Mara. The defender left the pitch on a stretcher and was taken to hospital but he's on the mend now as he eyes a return. He was at the stadium against Tottenham but not as part of the matchday squad.
Both Dortmund and Leicester were also too soon for the Chelsea captain, with more time needed before he can return.
What Potter said: "Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta] has made progress but is not through protocols after a head injury like that.”
Injury: Concussion
Expected return date: March
Thiago Silva
Silva was forced off with a knee injury in the Blues' clash with Tottenham. The following Tuesday, Chelsea released a statement detailing his diagnosis.
The time off has been detailed as roughly six weeks, meaning he would return to action in early April. His wife has since posted a video of him getting treated at their home, writing on Instagram: "The needles are on top of the ligament, emitting shocks due to use, it hurts so much."
What Potter said: "Thiago will be around that time [six weeks], not sure exactly."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: April
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.
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
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