Estevao Willian has picked up a hamstring injury according to manager Liam Rosenior, joining the list of wingers who are out.
Chelsea’s lineup today was pretty much what we expected, and pretty much what most fans hoped for. However, there was one notable absence. We didn’t predict that Estevao Willian would star, but we did think he’d be on the bench.
As it turns out, he’s got an injury.
“Unfortunately yesterday in the training session, he felt awareness in his hamstring,” Rosenior said before kick off when asked about the status of the winger.
“At the moment we are scanning it to make sure it’s nothing too serious but he’s unavailable for today’s game and we will see from there.”
Estevao joins Marc Cucurella on the list of players with hamstring issues at the moment.
Chelsea’s options diminished further by Estevao issue
Jamie Gittens goes off injured against West Ham.
Jamie Gittens goes off injured against West Ham. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Chelsea have made a good start to this game without Estevao, showing plenty of attacking intent. But with Jamie Gittens already missing with an injury, things are getting pretty thin in attacking areas. If Estevao’s issue rules him out for an extended period, we may have to see some creative management from Liam Rosenior.
The use of Andrey Santos in a double pivot with Moises Caicedo has already reduced the need for wingers, and we’re bound to stay with that for as long as Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are our only fit wingers. Cole Palmer may be used wider, and we could see Joao Pedro drop into Palmer’s role in future games, with Liam Delap leading the line.
In other news…
Chelsea took the lead through Joao Pedro, who put the finishing touches on a flowing move up the pitch involving Pedro Neto and Moises Caicedo.
The team today had Andrey Santos starting – but no Estevao in the squad at all. We’ll find out more about that after the game.
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