Fernández, Neto & João Pedro: Latest Chelsea injury news and expected return datesplaceholder image
Fernández, Neto & João Pedro: Latest Chelsea injury news and expected return dates | Getty Images
The latest Chelsea injury news - including updates on Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto, João Pedro and more.
Chelsea head into the November international break on good form and with a place in the Premier League’s top four under their belt – but also with a number of fresh injury concerns to fret over as they build up towards games against Burnley and Barcelona.
Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto and João Pedro all had to be substituted after picking up injuries during the 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and if they are still struggling after the break then they could be among as many as eight first-team players either out or doubts for Chelsea’s next match.
We’ve got all of the latest Chelsea injury news ahead of the international games below, along with the expected return dates of players such as Cole Palmer and Roméo Lavia.
Are Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández and Pedro Neto out with injury?
While three players that were withdrawn with fitness concerns during the victory over Wolves, there seems to be little immediate concern over the health of striker João Pedro. Enzo Maresca confirmed that the Brazilian was taken off at his own request, but he is still expected to travel to join his national side and there are no indications that he is dealing with a significant issue.
The news is less positive in the cases of Fernández and Neto, however. Winger Neto sustained a groin injury, according to Maresca, and has now withdrawn from Portugal’s squad for their final World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia. The 25-year-old will be assessed over the coming days and there is no timeline for his return as yet.
Key midfielder Fernández, meanwhile, aggravated a bone edema in his knee which he revealed he has been coping with for around four months. He too has now withdrawn from international duty, telling the media that he is “in a lot of pain,” and that he is hoping to “recover as much as possible over… two or three weeks.”
As it stands, both players, especially Fernández, appear to be significant doubts for the Premier League game against Burnley on 22 November – but João Pedro is expected to be available once more.
When will Cole Palmer and Roméo Lavia return?
Chelsea supporters will have to wait a little longer to welcome Palmer back into the fold – while initial reports suggested that he would recover from his groin injury after the international break, he has yet to return to training and is now believed to be targeting an early December return.
Luckless midfielder Lavia, meanwhile, will miss up to a month with his latest injury, a thigh issue sustained during the first 10 minutes of the 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag. The 6 December game against Bournemouth is the earliest match in which he is likely to have a chance of playing a part.
There is better news concerning centre-half Benoît Badiashile, who could return from a muscular injury immediately after the international break, but Chelsea will still be without Dário Essugo (thigh), who won’t play again until January, and Levi Colwill (ACL), who may not play this season as he rehabilitates following successful surgery.
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