Graham Potter has been given a massive boost for Chelsea as two of his biggest stars return to training. The Blues have been dealing with a stronger squad in recent weeks but still had to navigate past Leicester without some of their most important players.
Winning games without Reece James, Mason Mount, Edouard Mendy and Thiago Silva would have been considered a tough task for any manager at Stamford Bridge in recent times but that is exactly what Potter managed in the 3-1 win on Saturday. Add in N'Golo Kante's continued time out and that is the core of Chelsea's 2021 Champions League side all unavailable.
James, who was rested against Leeds last weekend before facing Dortmund, fell foul to illness whilst Mount remained out with abdomen pain. This was far from the extent of injury issues though.
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Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Cesar Azpilicueta were all also absent at the King Power Stadium. It meant that nine players in total were missing for various reasons.
There has been good news ahead of the final league game before the international break though with James, Mount and Mendy all back in training, whilst Kante continued his own recovery on the field. "Mason’s had a problem with his lower abdomen area, the bone, so he’ll miss the game tomorrow," Potter said last week. "We hope it won’t be too long but tomorrow will be too soon."
As for James, he was ruled out with illness. Kante is still edging closer to the field though. "We aiming maybe for Everton. Unfortunately, not for tomorrow," was what the 47-year-old boss had to say ahead of Leicester.
Sterling was among those central to the victory against Borussia Dortmund but had to sit out the trip to the midlands, "Raheem has a feeling in his hamstring, more tight than anything, so he's a doubt," Potter explained, giving hope that he will be okay to play some role against the Toffees.
Aubameyang has found game time hard to come by this season already but a tweak left him out of the matchday squad against the Foxes too. "Aubameyang has a slight problem with his back, so he won't make it," said Potter. Meanwhile, Mendy is still yet to play since the World Cup after breaking his finger.
Azpilicueta has been overcoming the concussion suffered against Southampton and Broja is out until at least the start of next season with knee ligament damage. Silva has also been ruled out until after the international break.
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