After a disappointing January and a dismal February, there has been reason for optimism for Chelsea in March. Three victories in succession have lifted the mood at the club and removed some of the pressure off the shoulders of head coach Graham Potter.
There can be no setback afforded, however. It's why this weekend's visit from Everton to Stamford Bridge is an important one for Chelsea, especially given it is followed by a two-week international break. The gloom must not be allowed to return. A victory is imperative.
Chelsea's players stepped up their preparations for the game this morning at Cobham. The oversized first-team squad took part in a training session overseen by Potter and his staff – and here are four things we spotted.
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On the Mend
Not since the frustrating 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United prior to the World Cup has Edouard Mendy been involved in a Chelsea matchday squad. An injury sustained at the tournament in Qatar kept him out of games against Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest and the Senegal international then required surgery on a fractured finger sustained in training.
Mendy's recovery has been a slow process, but he has been undertaking individual work out on the pitches at Cobham over the past fortnight and Potter confirmed last week the 31-year-old was making progress in his comeback. And during today's session, Mendy was back training alongside fellow first-team goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Marcus Bettinelli.
Triple Everton boost
Chelsea were without eight players for the weekend victory over Leicester City. Fortunately, three of those who missed the game were back in training this morning. Reece James was absent at the King Power Stadium due to illness but looked back to full health as he undertook the pre-training warm-up with his teammates.
Mason Mount was also involved and will be hoping to return to the matchday squad against Leicester; the academy graduate missed the victories over Leeds, Borussia Dortmund, and Leicester with a pelvic issue but that has now cleared. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also shaken off his back injury.
N'Golo Kante continues to take part in full training as he inches closer to a return to action. The France international hasn't featured for Chelsea since the second weekend of the campaign due to a hamstring injury that later required surgery. There is a possibility he makes his comeback against the Toffees.
Datro Fofana involved
When David Datro Fofana completed his move from Molde to Chelsea at the start of the January transfer window, the expectation was the Ivorian striker would head out on loan to continue his development. Yet no move materialised and Fofana has remained at Stamford Bridge.
He has been handed first-team opportunities by Potter and made his full debut in the defeat to Southampton last month. Yet at the weekend, the 20-year-old stepped out for the title-chasing Development Squad and scored in a 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Kingsmeadow.
Fofana was back involved with the senior group this morning at Cobham, however, and will be hopeful of securing first-team minutes after the international break.
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