Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Josh Holland

Edouard Mendy, Raheem Sterling, Mount: Chelsea injury news and return dates ahead of Man City

Graham Potter could be without a number of his star players for today's FA Cup trip to Manchester City. The Blues face Pep Guardiola's men for the second time in four days after narrowly losing 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.

Mason Mount picked up a knock ahead of Thursday's clash before attacking duo Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic were both forced off in the first half. The trio's absence means Chelsea's injury list reached 10 with N'Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Armando Broja also out.

So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at all the latest injury news and return dates.

READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on Todd Boehly backing, Chelsea vision, FA Cup, injuries, more

Raheem Sterling

Sterling was replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inside the opening couple of minutes in Chelsea's clash against City. The 28-year-old winger fell to the floor with a grimace on his face following a collision with Stones.

He has done well to evade injury since swapping the Etihad Stadium for Stamford Bridge in the summer. Though, unfortunately for Sterling, he now joins a growing list of absentees who are nursing injuries.

The severity of Sterling's knock picked up against his former side remains to be seen. Upon being substituted, the winger was pictured walking unassisted next to the club's medical staff while being applauded the home fans - which can only come as a promising sign. The Athletic reported on Friday that the forward is set for a scan on his hamstring to understand the extent of the injury he has suffered.

What Potter said: " Raheem, it was his first action in the game, a strange one, a back heel"

Injury: Hamstring

Expected return date: Unknown

Christian Pulisic

Pulisic came off halfway through the first-half after coming off worse in a tackle by John Stones. The United States international was visibly distressed as he went down twice following the challenge.

He was eventually being replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka, who did incredibly well off the bench. The 19-year-old has given Potter food for thought after filling Pulisic's shoes against City.

What Potter said: C"hristian’s, he was running at full pelt and it’s a blocked shot and contact with his knee. Fingers crossed it’s not too bad."

Injury: Leg

Expected return date: Unknown

Mason Mount

Mount was omitted from the Blues' starting lineup to face City due to injury. The 23-year-old was left out of Chelsea's squad following an issue picked up in training, football.london understands.

The England international is said to have suffered a small knock with the west Londoners hopeful that he will be fit enough to return in the coming days. Chelsea have a congested fixture schedule ahead of them, with four more games inside two weeks.

What Potter said: ""Mason [Mount] got a kick yesterday in training, again we’re hopeful for the weekend but it’s one of those things at the moment."

Injury: Leg

Expected return date: Unknown

Edouard Mendy

Chelsea confirmed yesterday (Saturday) that Mendy had undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained during training this week, meaning he will be absent from the squad in the coming games.

The Senegalese shot-stopper missed the Bournemouth match and didn't even make the bench against Forest. He had previously come back from international duty in October with an injury but played for his club since then despite being replaced as No1 by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Injury: Finger

Expected return date: Unknown

Reece James

Pulling up against Bournemouth, James has suffered a further injury after the defender missed the World Cup in Qatar. James has posted an image of himself and N'Golo Kante in recovery though, boosting Chelsea fans' mood in the new year with the caption: "On the mend."

What Potter said: "It's the same area, so we are concerned. It's really too soon [to tell]. We'll have to see over the next 24-48 hours. He felt something there and we will have to find out the extent of it and keep our fingers crossed."

Injury: Knee

Expected return date: Mid-February

Wesley Fofana

Having missed most of the season so far, former Leicester man Welsey Fofana's influence at the back has been somewhat felt in his absence. Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva have performed well, but the Frenchman will be keen to return to action soon.

What Potter said: ''Wesley had a little setback, which can sometimes happen at the very last stage of rehab, so he will be [out for] a couple of weeks."

Injury: Knee

Expected return date: Early January

N'Golo Kante

Having also missed the World Cup, 2018 winners France fell at the final hurdle, with some hinting that N'Golo Kante's influence may have been missed in midfield.

What Potter said: ''He’ll be [the] end of Feb [or the] start of March. It’s a surgery, so it’s a minimum period of four months. My focus is to help him get back fit as soon as possible."

Injury: Thigh

Expected return date: Mid-February

Ben Chilwell

Again have missed large parts of the Blues season, fellow defender Ben Chilwell will be keen to get back fit and help Chelsea's chances of claiming a place in the top four this season.

What Potter said: "Ben has come back from his individual work in Dubai, and he's now working closer with the guys but still not team training."

Injury: Thigh

Expected return date: February

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Having been deployed in a number of different positions so far this season, Potter will have missed the versatility that Loftus-Cheek no doubt suitably brings to this Chelsea side.

What Potter said: ''Ruben is doing some work in the gym so we’re hopeful that he can be involved next week but we’ll see how he goes.''

Injury: Calf

Expected return date: Early January

Armando Broja

Having pulled up nastily in the side's mid-season friendly against Aston Villa, Armando Broja could be heard reeling in pain as his knee injury more than definitely curtailed his 22/23 season. Having made quite the impression under Potter, it was a sad blow for the former Southampton loanee.

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: Late 2023

READ NEXT:

Chelsea confirm David Datro Fofana transfer on long-term deal ahead of Man City clash

Chelsea 'open talks' for Marcus Thuram cut-price transfer to solve ongoing Graham Potter issue

Graham Potter can give three Chelsea debuts to new signings to protect Thiago Silva vs Man City

Chelsea shirt numbers revealed for Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Gabriel Slonina

Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.