Chelsea return to action after the international break by hosting rivals Tottenham in the Premier League.
The Blues are currently preparing ahead of the London derby next Thursday on 3 April.
Fans haven’t seen Chelsea play since losing 1-0 to Arsenal in the league on 16 March, which is a long gap in between games during any part of the season. Hopefully, it’s been a chance to reset things and prepare for an important finish to the campaign with plenty still on the line.
Enzo Maresca’s side are right in the thick of the battle for Champions League qualification. Also, they’re in the Conference League quarter-finals, where they’ll face Legia Warsaw.
It feels so important for the Blues to start with a victory next week. Incidentally, Craig Pawson will referee Chelsea versus Spurs in the upcoming league fixture.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Nicolas Jackson to be available for Tottenham
The great news for supporters is that Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, 23, could be back for the showdown with Spurs.
He’s not played since the start of February due to a hamstring injury, but it’s now been suggested he’ll be ready to make his comeback next Thursday.
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According to The Daily Mail, Jackson has been training at Cobham during the international break and is expected to be ready to return for Spurs.
Jackson has been pictured in Chelsea training as he works towards his return. From the team’s perspective, it’ll be a significant boost to have him back on the pitch and leading the line again.
Appearances Goals Assists
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Nicolas Jackson in the Premier League during the 2024/25 season
Photo by Steve Bardens - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Steve Bardens – AMA/Getty Images
Late decision could be made on Cole Palmer fitness
Unfortunately, The Daily Mail’s update on Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer isn’t quite as encouraging.
The report explains that the 22-year-old attacking midfielder hasn’t trained with the Blues since sustaining a muscular problem before the international break, which meant he was absent from England’s first camp under Thomas Tuchel.
Apparently, Chelsea are now sweating on Palmer’s availability for the Spurs game. It is unclear on whether the English playmaker will be ready to feature, but the club are likely to leave it as late as possible before making a final call on his inclusion.
Palmer didn’t get into Chelsea’s greatest ever team, voted for by the fans, but it highlights his mega impact in under two years at the club that he’s even mentioned as a possible contender for it.