Chelsea injuries: Latest James, Nkunku & Colwill news and potential return dates
- Chelsea have had an extensive injury list throughout the season
- Club captain Reece James has been out since December
- Several summer arrivals have scarcely featured due to fitness issues
Mauricio Pochettino's mother affectionately calls her son a 'llorona' - a crybaby.
"Very sensitive," Pochettino described himself earlier this season. "I have become more so with time. I cry more and I become a better person every day."
There have been plenty of opportunities for the tears to flow during Pochettino's turbulent debut campaign at Chelsea. While results have been the main source of angst, the perennially packed treatment room can't be particularly easy to walk past.
Here's a round-up of the current injury woes playing on Pochettino's mind.
Chelsea injuries
Enzo Fernandez
- Issue: Adductor injury
- Return: vs Man City (20/04/2024)
Fernandez was absent from Monday night's 6-0 thrashing of Everton with an adductor injury, according to reports in Argentina.
Poch said the player underwent a medical assessment before Monday's game and is optimistic that the midfielder's issue is only minor.
Thus, the Argentine is expected to be back involved for the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Axel Disasi
- Issue: Unknown
- Return: vs Man City (20/04/2024)
There's less information available regarding Disasi's injury, who also missed the Everton win. The defender, who, up until this point, boasts a pristine injury record and he's unlikely to miss a sustained period of time.
It's understood that Disasi picked up his knock during the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United.
As is the case with Fernandez, Pochettino is hopeful that he'll be able to call upon Disasi soon.
Levi Colwill
- Issue: Toe injury
- Return: vs Man City (20/04/2024)
Levi Colwill also added his name to an extensive injury list during the draw with west London foes Brentford in early March, with Pochettino unsure on when the young centre-back will return to first-team action.
Out with a toe injury, Pochettino is yet to provide a detailed update on his potential return date, but reports suggest that the centre-back could be available for the FA Cup semi-final with City.
Reece James
- Issue: Hamstring injury
- Potential Return: May 2024
Pochettino made the surprising decision to appoint James as Chelsea's captain despite his chronic unavailability. The fallible full-back had sat out 80 matches for club and country across the previous four seasons before pulling up with yet another hamstring complaint in August.
After working his way back to full fitness by October, James lasted just two months before taking up his familiar seat in the rehabilitation room. The surgeon who was holding the knife James went under in December predicted that he would be in "top shape" ahead of Euro 2024.
Pochettino said after the March international break: "No, I don't know [when James will return]. We will assess it week by week, and we will see. We hope yes, we hope that he will be available for the end of the season."
Christopher Nkunku
- Issue: Thigh injury
- Potential Return: Summer 2024
A lot went wrong for Chelsea in extra-time of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. On top of Virgil van Dijk's late winner, the growing sense of lethargy which gripped the squad and a "bottlejob" nickname that isn't going anywhere, Pochettino lost Christopher Nkunku to injury again.
The Chelsea coach may not know exactly how the £52m acquisition from RB Leipzig sustained yet another setback, but he initially estimated that it would keep Nkunku out for "three to four weeks".
However, it's now been well over a month and the Frenchman is still unavailable, with Pochettino admitting that his recovery has taken "longer than expected". We may not see him again until next season.
Wesley Fofana
- Issue: Knee injury
- Potential Return: Summer 2024
Fofana's career in England has been marred by some significant injuries at both Leicester City and Chelsea, with the centre-back facing another extended spell on the sidelines.
The French defender underwent surgery on an ACL injury in mid-July and is expected to be out for the entirety of the season, with Pochettino also suggesting it's unlikely that he will feature before the end of the campaign.
Romeo Lavia
- Issue: Hamstring injury
- Potential Return: Summer 2024
Lavia has not had much luck at the beginning of his Chelsea career.
The Belgian picked up an ankle injury in training just before the September international break which kept him out until Christmas. Lavia's solitary appearance for Chelsea lasted just 32 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace - one minute for every £1.8m spent on the teenager (before taking into account his wages).
Lavia has been recovering from a hamstring injury since, and the Blues have confirmed that the midfielder won't play for the club again this season after enduring a setback in his recovery.
Lesley Ugochukwu
- Issue: Ankle injury
- Potential Return: Unknown
Forget that out-of-date gift card you got in the Secret Santa at work, Lesley Ugochukwu received the worst early Christmas present.
The France Under-21 international had only just returned from a month-long layoff before damaging his hamstring again in Chelsea's Christmas Eve defeat to Wolves.
Ugochukwu was only expected to miss six weeks but is still stuck on the sidelines with any return date clouded in uncertainty.
Robert Sanchez
Issue: Illness
Potential Return: vs Man City (20/04/2024)
The Spanish goalkeeper only returned from a significant injury layoff in late February but was absent from the draw with Sheffield United earlier this month - not even making the bench at Bramall Lane.
Sanchez reportedly missed Monday night's win over Everton due to illness, and he should be back in contention at Wembley.
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