Chelsea return for Premier League action on Tuesday as Premier League football returns to Stamford Bridge. The Blues had a rotton run before breaking up for international action, losing four of their last five, and face an uphill battle to finish in the top four.
The gap to the top four before kick off at SW6 is nine points to Tottenham but that can reduced to just three if both games in hand are won by Graham Potter's men. The World Cup has allowed players and fans to reset away from the consistent cauldron of pressure but that will now be cranked up once again.
Dealing with this won't be easy for Potter. He has already had to bypass multiple major injuries during his time and will be without several first team stars for the fixture, though returning World Cup members will be back to bolster the squad.
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After just two known friendlies against Aston Villa and Brentford, here's what the treatment room is looking like.
Wesley Fofana
The latest Chelsea player to suffer a knock, Fofana went off holding his knee against Brentford earlier this week after spending time out since October with a knee injury.
What Potter said: " Wesley [Fofana] just had a little setback which can sometimes happen at the very last stage of the rehab. It will be a couple of weeks so he won't be available for the game."
Expected return date: Unknown
Armando Broja
Broja was another unlucky casualty from the friendly matches, having his season ended with an ACL injury in the match against Aston Villa. The 21-year-old has since had surgery on his knee.
What Potter said: "Armando [Broja] is a big loss in terms of the time he is out."
Expected return date: Unknown (next season).
Reece James
In a big boost, James is finally fit to return after missing the action from October with a knee injury of his own. James had been hopeful of travelling to the World Cup with England but was omitted.
What Potter said: "Reece [James] is back in and completed 65 minutes in the week."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (H), December 27.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek was held up during the warm-weather training camp and had to undergo treatment for a knock, football.london understands, and the Englishman won't be available against Bournemouth either, though the extent and type of injury is unknown.
What Potter said: "Still without Ruben [Loftus-Cheek]."
Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A), January 1.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chelsea's new No1 appears to be back in business having missed the final set of matches after being 3-0 down to Brighton at half time with a foot injury.
What Potter said: (Before Dinamo Zagreb) "Kepa won't be available for the game. He has a slight issue with his plantar fascia."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (H), December 27.
N'Golo Kante
Kante remains sidelined following his hamstring injury in the second match of the season, he hasn't played a minute since. He has had surgery but is still set for a longer period out of action.
What Potter said: "He's a while. He'll be end of February, start of March."
Expected return date: Unknown
Mateo Kovacic
The Croatian won't be available after not yet returning from Qatar following his side's run to the semi-finals, then playing in the third place play-off match. He had struggled with fitness and fatigue before the break but played more minutes at the World Cup than he had managed for Chelsea.
What Potter said: "We're still waiting on Hakim [Ziyech] and Mateo [Kovacic]. Obviously they went the distance to the third and fourth place and played the games as well. Big demand for those two, important to give them time, they won't be available for the game as a consequence. Everybody else has been back, we've got a few days training with all of them, so, it is what it is. We have to deal with it and it's been good.
Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A), January 1.
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell is another long-term absentee after also missing out on the England squad due to a late injury picked up in the Champions League. His hamstring knock is likely to keep him out for at least four more weeks, though it could be much longer.
What Potter said: N/A
Expected return date: Unknown
Edouard Mendy
Mendy returned from Qatar without a known injury but has only been training for a few days according to the manager. He did miss international duty in October due to a knee knock but has played for Chelsea since, deputising for Kepa before the break.
What Potter said: "[Edouard] Mendy has had a couple of days training with us."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (H), December 27.
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