Chelsea have a huge month ahead of them, with an FA Cup semi-final and two Champions League quarter-finals to add yet more silverware to their trophy cabinet. Thomas Tuchel will also have one eye on the Premier League campaign, with Champions League qualification not quite secure yet.
For the Blues to have a clear shot at either trophy, they will be hoping that they can navigate the next few weeks without any injury troubles or risk a potential repeat of December’s injury crisis that hit the side during a busy period. That includes a bit of luck over the current international break.
Tuchel ’s men don’t return to action until April, with a set of March international fixtures putting club football on hold for the final time this season. Over this time, there will be the hope that all the players on duty can report back in full health.
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With another two fixtures thrown into the mix, players will be training and traveling before making the return to Cobham for the final stretch of the season, which could take its toll on a few. Among those players are a few key ones that the head coach will be desperate for them to come back in fine condition.
At the head of that list is Kai Havertz, who has recently made the striker role his own. The Germany international has taken advantage of the opportunity in the wake of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner struggling to become the first-choice at the club.
Another influential figure is that of Thiago Silva, with the centre-back proving against Middlesbrough why he is so important to the back three of Chelsea. The Brazilian will be involved in his nation’s fixtures in World Cup qualifying.
Here is what the Chelsea lineup could look like with both players out against Brentford: Mendy; Rudiger, Christensen, Chalobah; Alonso, Jorginho, Kovacic, Azpilicueta; Mount, Ziyech; Lukaku.
That isn’t to say that other players wouldn’t also have an impact on how the Blues finish the season, but given their form, those two would greatly hurt the chances. The likes of Antonio Rudiger, Jorginho and Mason Mount could also cost Chelsea if they were to get injured.
Tuchel will be hoping to have a full squad at his disposal for three crunch fixtures in cup competitions.
