Enzo Maresca was without several players for Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace last Sunday.
Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile and Nicolas Jackson were all unavailable for various reasons.
Colwill will also miss Chelsea‘s next game, with the defender expected to be out for most of the season because of an ACL injury. Chelsea are reluctant to sign a new centre-back despite the 22-year-old being sidelined for such a long period.
Maresca, however, could be set to welcome back one of his other defenders in a potential boost for the Blues.
Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea during a training session
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Tosin Adarabioyo seen in training ahead of West Ham United clash
Chelsea’s next Premier League fixture is against West Ham United, and Adarabioyo could be available for the London derby.
The centre-half missed the Blues’ draw with Palace because of an injury; however, Chelsea’s official club website posted a picture of him in training on Wednesday.
It means that Adarabioyo could be ready for Chelsea’s trip to the London Stadium this Friday.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
If not, Josh Acheampong could retain his place in the starting XI. Despite being brought in to provide cover for Marc Cucurella, Chelsea also see Jorrel Hato as a centre-back option.
The 19-year-old has played there for Ajax and is left-footed like Colwill so has the potential to slot into his spot.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca looks on during the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca wasn’t sure when Tosin Adarabioyo would return
At one point, it looked like Adarabioyo was set for a spell on the sidelines. When Maresca gave an update on Adarabioyo’s injury after the Palace game, he said: “Tosin had a physical problem. We don’t know for how long.”
Thankfully, though, the injury was not too serious, and it now looks like the 27-year-old could be back very soon.
In the past, speaking in an interview for Chelsea’s website, Adarabioyo has described himself as a “top Premier League centre-half”.
If the former Fulham man is fit enough to start on Friday, he will have the chance to prove that. In Jarrod Bowen, West Ham have a very dangerous forward who will no doubt test Chelsea’s backline.