Ahead of a potentially crucial “make or break” week, Graham Potter has suffered arguably his biggest injury blow of his tenure so far. After being withdrawn in the 19th minute of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Tottenham, the club later confirmed Thiago Silva had damaged his knee ligaments.
The Brazilian defender now looks set to miss a defining few weeks for Graham Potter. Silva joins Cesar Azpilicueta on the injury list after the latter suffered a head injury against Southampton and is therefore still adhering to concussion protocols before returning to training.
Christian Pulisic and N'Golo Kante both took part in full first-team training after stepping up their recovery at Cobham. Mateo Kovacic has recovered from an illness that saw him miss the defeat to Spurs at the weekend, but it appears as though Reece James and Mason Mount could miss out on the clash.
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With that said, football.london takes a look at all the latest injury news from Stamford Bridge before the Blues take on Leeds in the Premier League.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount has struggled to break into the first-team in recent weeks, but was handed a cameo against Tottenham from the bench. The midfielder has since been handed an injury concern that will see him miss out against Leeds United, having sustained a problem with his lower abdomen.
What Potter said: "Mason {Mount] has had a problem with a lower abdomen area and tomorrow is too soon for him."
Injury: Lower abdomen
Expected return date: Unknown
Reece James
Reece James has struggled with injuries throughout the past campaign, with long-term absences causing plenty of problems for the defender. The Cobham academy graduate appears to be facing another potential game out when the Blues face Leeds, with a concern over his hamstring.
What Potter said: "Reece [James] has a tightness in his hamstring; we are assessing him but he’s doubtful for tomorrow as well."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Unknown
Thiago Silva
Silva was subbed off with a knee injury in the Premier League clash against Tottenham over last weekend. On Tuesday, Chelsea released a statement detailing his diagnosis. "Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, Thiago underwent further assessment and a scan on his return to the training centre on Monday.
"Scan results from those assessments have confirmed damage to Thiago’s knee ligaments and he will now work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation to return to action as soon as possible."
The time off has been detailed as roughly six weeks, meaning he would return to action this season, but will miss a chunk of time.
What Potter said: "Thiago will be around that time [six weeks], not sure exactly."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Mid-April
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic looks set to be closing in on a return to the Chelsea matchday squad after nearly two months out with a knee injury. Posting to his Instagram story, the United States international revealed he is back training on the pitches at Cobham with a picture alongside Mason Mount.
The USMNT international was partially involved in first-team training on Monday, handing a major boost to Potter ahead of the clash with Leeds. The Blues are also close to welcoming the forward back ahead of a Champions League reunion with Borussia Dortmund next week.
What Potter said: "We've had a good week's training, everyone is available pretty much apart from N'Golo and Christian Pulisic. They are making progress, joining the warm-ups, and they will be more integrated next week. So that is good."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: March
N'Golo Kante
Kante, who sees his contract expire in the summer - although Chelsea are now very confident he will sign a new deal, as football.london understands - is yet to feature under Potter after suffering a hamstring injury against Tottenham in August. The midfielder returned to first-team training on Friday, though it remains to be seen exactly how long it would take for him to return to full fitness.
What Potter said: "N’Golo [Kante] had his first full session today, but still needs time."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: March
Mateo Kovacic
Having returned to action following injury against Southampton, Kovacic was missing from the matchday squad against Tottenham, coming as a blow to the side. It doesn't appear to be anything to worry about though as it was through illness and he was pictured in training ahead of the clash with Leeds United.
What Potter said: "Mateo was ill."
Injury: Illness
Expected return date: Leeds, March 4.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta sustained a concussion against Southampton following a collision with striker Sekou Mara. The defender left the pitch on a stretcher and was taken to hospital but he's on the mend now as he eyes a return. He was at the stadium against Tottenham but not as part of the matchday squad.
It appears as though the Leeds game will be too soon for the Chelsea captain, with more time needed before the defender can return.
What Potter said: "Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta] has made progress but is not through protocols after a head injury like that.”
Injury: Concussion
Expected return date: Early March
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea confirmed early in January that Mendy had undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained during training, meaning he will be absent from the squad for some time. The Senegalese shot-stopper was expected to miss at least six weeks, and has yet to return.
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Unknown
Armando Broja
Chelsea are set to be without Broja until at least the summer months, after the striker suffered a knee injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
He looked to be in considerable pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international had no history of knee injuries and his injury is a major blow with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favour at present.
Broja is expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needs surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london understands.
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: Summer/Autumn 2023
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