Delap is going to be out for at least a few weeksplaceholder image
Delap is going to be out for at least a few weeks | Getty Images
All the latest Chelsea injury news as they head into the international break.
Chelsea are now on break, like their rivals, with the international break taking hold after three games played in the Premier League season. The Blues are still unbeaten at this stage, drawing one and winning twice, including Saturday’s win over Fulham.
With the Blues having had a very strange summer due to the FIFA Club World Cup, Maresca has promised some time off for his players during the break, while many of the club’s rivals will be training without the players who are on international duty.
As Chelsea head into the break, we have rounded up the latest injury news at Stamford Bridge.
Liam Delap
Delap now looks set to miss up to eight weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against Fulham. Maresca said after the game: “Liam's injury doesn't look good in terms of, he was full speed, hamstring, so that requires, like always, weeks. And then in terms of another striker, to be honest, we just finished the game from the changing room and came here for the press conference. So now after, when we finish, we're going to sit and we'll see if we take any decision. That's all.”
Benoit Badiashile
Maresca said before the last game that the defender is 'in the process of coming back'. That process is expected to run into September, and in a fresh update this week, it was confirmed that the international break won’t quite be enough of a break for them to return straight after. He said: “Romeo and Benoit, I don't think they will be back after the international break, but they will be closer.”
Romeo Lavia
The same update above applies here, with Lavia on a very similar timeline to Badiashile as he battles his way back.
Cole Palmer
Palmer has missed the last two games and will remain out until after the break with a groin issue. Maresca said: “Cole, we need to see day by day. It is not random, it is the amount of games. Look at [Manchester] City last year, they lost Rodri after two or three games. He was a player that had the most minutes for them We are going to have problems this season for sure because of last season. But It's about how we can adapt and get players to recover."
Levi Colwill
Colwill has been ruled out for much of the season after an ACL injury. Maresca said: “He is ok, aware he will be out for a long time. It’s a big loss for us. You know how important Levi has been for us last season and the way we want to play. We have said many times that we are able to create chances and attack if we’re able to build up the right way, and Levi was a huge part of our build-up.”
Omari Kellyman
Kellyman picked up a hamstring issue last season and there is still no word on his return.
Myhailo Mudryk - Out (Suspended)
Mudryk remains suspended due to alleged doping. A statement at the time read: “We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with Anti-Doping Rule Violations alleging the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, in terms of Regulations 3 and 4 of The FA's Anti-Doping Regulations. As this is an ongoing case, we are not in a position to comment further at this time.”
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