Chelsea played out a highly entertaining and dramatic 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the London derby last weekend, but a return to winning ways is now at the top of the agenda for Thomas Tuchel’s side as they aim to continue their unbeaten start.
The Blues gave home debuts to summer signings Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Raheem Sterling against their visitors on Sunday, but Mateo Kovacic missed out and N’Golo Kante limped off through injury, leaving Tuchel to sweat over the pair’s fitness as a result.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Stamford Bridge and the expected return dates for those out injured.
N’Golo Kante
French midfield machine N’Golo Kante has started both of Chelsea ’s two Premier League games this season and put in another impressive shift in last weekend’s draw with Tottenham before he was forced off through injury with five minutes to go.
Following a collision with Yves Bissouma in the 84th minute, Kante required on-field treatment from Chelsea’s physio, before he was eventually hauled off after being unable to continue and is now expected to be out for up to a month with the hamstring issue, therefore missing this weekend’s trip to face Leeds at Elland Road.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Tuchel said: "It’s not good news. We are disappointed and sad because N’Golo was super important and super fit, and he will be out for several weeks."
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Mateo Kovacic
Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic was left out of last weekend’s London derby after picking up a knee injury, and has since required treatment for the issue that is expected to keep him out of action for the foreseeable future.
Kovacic was an unused substitute in his side’s opening weekend victory away to Everton on August 6, but failed to make the squad altogether for the visit of Spurs as a result of the knee issue, with Tuchel revealing that he had picked up a reaction and will now continue to miss out ahead of Sunday's clash with Leeds.
Speaking on August 12, Tuchel said: “Unfortunately, with his knee, there has been a reaction. We decided to take a step back, to increase treatment time to reduce the stress that comes from training," before adding on Friday that Kovacic is "still out with knee problems."
Chr istian Pulisic
Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic has emerged as a doubt for this weekend after Tuchel revealed that the American had picked up an Achilles problem, and will now face a late fitness test to determine his involvement ahead of the trip to Elland Road.
Pulisic has featured as a substitute in both of Chelsea's Premier League games against Everton and Tottenham this season but has been widely tipped for a move away from the club, with Manchester United said to be interested, but for now at least he will be aiming to make it back into the squad for Saturday's game.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Tuchel said: "Christian had Achilles problems but trained today. Let’s see."
Armando Broja
Chelsea youngster Armando Broja is the latest player to be ruled out of Saturday's clash with Leeds after picking up another injury during the week, having only recently returned from an ankle problem.
The Albanian international had been suffering with an ankle injury in pre-season after landing on it awkwardly during a training session last month, before regaining fitness in time for the start of the season. However, he is now ruled out of Sunday's clash with Leeds.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Tuchel said: "Armando is out for some days. He cannot come with us to Leeds."
