Nkunku is battling to returnNkunku is battling to return
Nkunku is battling to return | AFP via Getty Images
All the final injury news ahead of the Conference League final between Chelsea and Real Betis.
The Conference League final is almost upon us, with Chelsea and Real Betis preparing to face off in Wroclaw, Poland. The Blues ended their Premier League campaign with celebration on Sunday, securing qualification for next season’s Champions League with a fourth-placed finish.
Enzo Maresca’s men defeated Nottingham Forest to get the job done, and they will now look to round off a memorable week by winning the Conference League. Speaking ahead of the clash, Chelsea star Benoit Badiashile told the club’s official website: “Every game is important to show you are a good player, and I have tried to play as well as I can in this competition,’ stated the 24-year-old.
“It’s been good for the team to play in Europe. It has helped us to grow as a team. Chelsea are a big club and we have to win every trophy we can, so it’s normal for us that we have been favourites for every game we have played. Now the coach has told us to keep the same intensity and the same desire and to prepare for this game like normal.”
Here we round up the injury news surrounding both Chelsea and Betis ahead of the final.
Hector Bellerin - Doubt
Bellerin has been struggling with a hamstring issue and will be a doubt here.
Diego Llorente - Out
The centre-back will be absent until pre-season with a hamstring issue he suffered in April.
Chimy Avila - Doubt
Chimy Avila will be a doubt after picking up a thigh injury earlier in May.
Marc Roca - Out
A fresh blow, Roca picked up a serious ankle injury that has required surgery, ruling him out of this one and likely until the back-end of pre-season.
Giovani Lo Celso - Doubt
Lo Celso missed the last game of the season with a muscular issue and while it’s hoped he can return here, he will remain a doubt.
Wesley Fofana - Out
Fofana will not return this season, with Maresca having said: “Unfortunately, Wes will be out for the rest of the season.”
Omari Kellyman - Out
Kellyman has confirmed he will miss the end of the season, writing on social media: “Beyond gutted to say that this season has come to an early end for me due to a re-injury of my hamstring. 24-25 has been a tough season for me mentally and physically due to injury, but it’s important now that I take time to get this right.”
Christopher Nkunku - Doubt
Maresca has been hopeful that Nkunku can return. He said last week before the Forest game, which Nkunku wound up missing: “Christo is close to coming back and training with us. I said two weeks ago it was a very small problem, ten days, two weeks. Probably next week he can start already with us.”
Aaron Anselmino - Out
Anselmino has a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out.
Mykhailo Mudryk - Out (Suspended)
Mudryk remains out due to a suspension over alleged consumption of a banned substance. Maresca has said: “The only thing I can say is that we are close to Mykhailo as a club, and we are trying to help him. In terms of an update, I don't have one.”
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