Injury expert shares Chelsea update ahead of Premier League fixture v Leeds United
Chelsea are set to be without five players for their Premier League fixture against Leeds United on Saturday, according to injury expert, Ben Dinnery.
Armando Broja is a long-term absentee from Graham Potter’s squad with a knee ligament injury and won’t be back until the 2023/24 campaign. Thiago Silva is also out and Dinnery doesn’t expect the Brazilian to return until the start of April (Premier injuries).
N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic are both near returning but have both been “ruled out” of the clash against Javi Gracia’s men. Edouard Mendy is also an absentee according to Dinnery.
One bit of positive news for Potter is that Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta could return after returning from an illness and a concussion respectively.
Pressure on
The pressure is firmly on this Chelsea side to go and pick up a positive result. Potter has endured a tough start to life at Stamford Bridge and is yet to convince the fan base that he is the right man to take the club forward. He simply has to pick up three points against Leeds.
This is a game the Whites should be embracing. For the second time this season, they have the opportunity to heap huge pressure on a Chelsea manager. The West Londoners have been blunt in front of goal of late and if Leeds can maintain their stubborn defence from their Southampton victory, then they have a chance of a result.
Saturday’s (25 February) win over the Saints was absolutely vital and dragged Gracia’s side out of the bottom three. However, there will undoubtedly be a number of twists and turns before the season’s end and it’s up to Gracia to ride a good run of form for as long as possible.
In other Leeds United news, the club may now face a losing battle to keep their star player at Elland Road beyond the summer transfer window.
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