Two Chelsea stars have hinted at making Premier League returns as the Blues get back to domestic action against Bournemouth on Tuesday. Graham Potter has had most of his squad slowly reintegrated over the past two weeks following the World Cup.
The final was held just over one week ago but no Blues players were involved, though Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech both played in the third place play-off match. Although Chelsea racked up the second most minutes of any league team in England their players will have had a decent amount of rest, though not necessarily together.
However, with key players leaving Qatar perhaps earlier than expected there is a chance that Potter can call upon his English contingent at Stamford Bridge. With injuries decimating the squad it will be all hands to the pump.
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In the days leading up to the game there were some subtle hints dropped at who may be back in Potter's XI, which was rotated for the final two matches before the break. Thiago Silva, whose Brazil side lost on penalties to Croatia in the quarter-finals, posted a matchday graphic on Instagram with a countdown for the game.
He had played more minutes than anyone else in the lead-up to the World Cup and then played four of the five matches for his country too. Given the defensive struggle with injuries and form, if his is fit enough to play then the 38-year-old may well be letting fans know of his involvement.
Meanwhile Chelsea's Twitter account gave another hint, posting an image of Raheem Sterling on Monday, writing: "Patiently waiting for tomorrow."
Sterling was one of those who missed the match against Newcastle in the run up to the World Cup. He played and scored against Iran before being dropped later in the group stage by Gareth Southgate. The 27-year-old then came back to England after an incident occurred at his home.
He did go back to Qatar for the quarter-final but was then returning to London swiftly after the Three Lions lost. There is no certainty that either player is involved, but it's certainly a sign of them being eager to get going again.
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