Rosenior could welcome back a player from injury soonplaceholder image
Rosenior could welcome back a player from injury soon | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea have been handed a fitness boost ahead of a tough run of games.
Chelsea have been handed a fitness boost ahead of a big upcoming run of fixtures that starts with rivals Arsenal. The Blues have endured a frustrating last few weeks, drawing back to back games against struggling teams in Leeds United and Burnley.
Liam Rosenior will know that failure to pick up points in games like those could cost Chelsea in their bid to secure a top four spot and Champions League football for next season, though fifth could also become an extra Champions League spot when all is said and done.
Chelsea are now three points behind Manchester United in fourth, while Liverpool are now just goal difference behind them. Chelsea’s shortcomings in those games they were expected to win will now put pressure on them to pick up points in tougher games.
Tougher games are to come, with Chelsea now facing Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Everton and Manchester City on the bounce. If they come through those games feeling positive about their top four chances, they will have earned their spot among the Champions League hopefuls.
And in a boost before those fixtures, long-term absentee Dario Essugo has returned to training for the first time, setting up a possible return somewhere in that run. The midfielder is yet to appear this season having required surgery on a thigh injury early on, while he then picked up a fresh setback in December.
It will be a huge relief for Essugo to get back to training, and his next challenge will be to build up his fitness to the point of playing without suffering a fresh setback. Essugo was signed from Sporting CP last summer with the hope of being Moises Caicedo’s deputy and long-term replacement.
The 20-year-old is well thought of, but he is going to have to prove his fitness before he can prove he has a starting spot, or anything close to it, in Rosenior’s team.
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