Graham Potter is welcoming players back to his Chelsea squad as the burden starts to ease on the manager. Ahead of a vital set of weeks that includes a London derby against Tottenham and two legs of Champions League football with Borussia Dortmund the Blues are getting a boost.
Not only did Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling all return to the pitch against Fulham, there have been more players coming back throughout the week. Wesley Fofana continues to train back out on the grass whilst Denis Zakaria and Mateo Kovacic were both back in training.
It is the midfield that poses the most questions for Potter despite signing Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine looked classy on his debut but failed to get much support from those around him with Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount often too advanced to get the ball.
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Zakaria could aid that but he is still unfit for a matchday return. He was one of the surprise packages since the return from the World Cup and started to provide the coveted physical presence so often lacking in the centre of the park. With Jorginho now across London at Arsenal there is pressure on the current crop to see Chelsea through to the summer.
N'Golo Kante is getting there but is still some way from a return. Such is the nature of his contract status there won't be a rush to get him back too soon at the risk of threatening another relapse. West Ham is too soon for him to be back amongst the action whilst Edouard Mendy is still recovering from a broken finger.
Armando Broja is the other long-term absentee but his season has already been prematurely ended and he won't be back until next season, perhaps pushing it to play again in 2023. Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic is yet to get over his knock suffered against Manchester City in early January; he remains sidelined.
Sterling, as mentioned, did return against the Cottagers but picked up another knock ahead of the trip to the London Stadium. Potter revealed his late setback, saying, "We've had a little setback with Raheem, he is doubtful. He got a kick in training at the side of his knee."
Luckily for Potter, Kepa has been an able replacement for Mendy and seems to be the preferred first choice regardless of fitness judging by recent months. Kai Havertz has been chosen over Broja consistently before injury too and has the support of an expensively assembled cast behind him in attack.
Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk both offer support and new options in attack. Noni Madueke excited fans with his cameo at Stamford Bridge and could be in line to play against the Hammers.
All in all there are still eightplayers out injured for Chelsea but the slightly overwhelming incomings in January have helped to soften that blow.
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