Chelsea are already in a world of trouble. The club might have thrown their weight behind Liam Rosenior, but there has also been a recognition that it is a results-based business. If things do not improve, they might have no other choice but to show him the exit door at the end of the season. Based on current form, Champions League qualification feels like a distant dream. They are more likely to miss out on Europe altogether.
There has been a bit of positivity around Chelsea the past few days. Moises Caicedo has agreed a contract extension until 2033. On the other hand, Cole Palmer has also confirmed to the media that he has no plans to leave the club and rubbished the links with Manchester United.
On the other hand, there is some bad news for Chelsea on the injury front as well. It looks like two of their players might not feature again this season.
Rosenior was asked about the condition of Filip Jorgensen and Jamie Gittens, and whether they will play again this season. The former is dealing with a groin injury. The latter injured his hamstring while training ahead of the Port Vale game. The manager said:
‘I can’t give a definitive answer yet.
‘Jamie has responded really well to his recent setback, but we need to make sure it is right in the long term. It’s the same situation with Filip Jorgensen.’
Chelsea without Jorgensen and Gittens
Now, many will point out that neither player has impressed for Chelsea. That is true. But it does prevent Rosenior from having an option to vital areas of the pitch.
Robert Sanchez is pretty much the only option at goalkeeper right now. We all know about the Spaniard’s recent struggles. But no matter how things go for him, he will retain his spot in the team as long as Jorgensen is out injured.
On the other hand, the left flank has been a problem for Chelsea lately as well. Pedro Neto has played there often but is not really performing at a high level. Alejandro Garnacho is already being linked with a move away as well. Someone like Gittens might have had a chance to make the position his own with a few good performances, but he has spent so much time out injured that there has to be questions about his own future at Stamford Bridge.
Injuries have been Chelsea’s worst enemy this season
Chelsea have been missing some genuine quality this season due to injuries. Levi Colwill has not played a single game, having suffered an ACL injury in pre-season. Fortunately, he returned to the pitch recently for the U21s. Hopefully, he does not suffer any setbacks and is back in the first-team fold soon.
Palmer has been dealing with fitness issues going back to last season as well. A lot has been made about his dip in performances. But one has to consider the fact that the Englishman has been playing through injury.
Of course, captain Reece James was injured again soon after signing a contract extension. Let’s hope it proves to be a one-off issue rather than a return to his injury-prone days.
There have been plenty of other injury problems over the course of the season for Chelsea. Things would have looked a lot different if their best players had remained fit.
