Liam Rosenior has just answered questions about Chelsea’s squad availability to face Arsenal on Sunday – and there was some bad news.
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Liam Rosenior has just given an injury update on Chelsea’s players ahead of the massive game against Arsenal on Sunday, and it’s not great.
The good news first: Reece James is fine after being subbed off in our last game. Then there’s an update on Romeo Lavia, who is on the mend, and Dario Essugo, who is also back in training. Neither will be ready for Sunday’s game, but they’re getting there.
“Reece is absolutely fine. Romeo is getting stronger and stronger. We had a mini practice match in the week where he looked really good… Dario Essugo is back on the training pitch, too,” Rosenior confirmed.
Then came the bad news – winger Estevao Willian is going to be missing for a while.
“Estevao will be out for a little bit longer and Jamie Gittens is progressing in his rehab. Marc Cucurella is not available for Sunday.”
Essugo absence set to hurt Chelsea
Estevao William frustrated by Hull.
Estevao William frustrated by Hull. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
That’s not a surprise really – we didn’t think Cucurella or Gittens would be back. But missing Estevao is a big blow. We saw against Burnley last week how much the team missed his creativity and threat on the break. With Gittens out and Alejandro Garnacho in poor form, we’re really short of effective attacking options while the Brazilian is hurt.
It’s time for Cole Palmer to step up.
In other news…
We can only hope that Estevao is back to face PSG, who we have drawn in the Champions League.
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Andrey Santos in action against Burnley.
A Chelsea squad group huddle in the Allianz.
Estevao Willian strides to his locker.