Chelsea boss Graham Potter offers encouraging updates on injured players
As quoted by the Evening Standard, Chelsea boss Graham Potter offers encouraging updates on the recovery trail of some of the players who were injured before and during the World Cup break.
English fullback duo Reece James and Ben Chilwell missed the World Cup after picking up knee and hamstring injuries respectively. Centre-back Wesley Fofana also had to give the tournament a miss following his thigh injury.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on the other hand, was not part of the England squad and picked up an injury on the final match-day before the World Cup during the defeat to Newcastle United.
Here’s what Potter had to say on the recovery phases of the players who were injured (h/t Evening Standard):
“We’ve got a full week’s training when we get back and then we have a friendly the following week so that will be good. There’s a few more guys coming back from the World Cup so it’s moving nicely.
“We’ll be able to have a few more players back in full training with us. Reece James has moved forward, Wesley Fofana is moving forward, Carney Chukwuemeka is moving forward so that’s positive.
“Hopefully Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ben Chilwell can also take a step forward in their rehab next week so we’re optimistic about that.”
As much as these updates are great news for the Blues, there is bad news around the corner as well with the injury to striker Armando Broja.
The Albania international picked up a nasty knee injury during the friendly against Aston Villa on Sunday (December 11). Talking about him, Potter said the injury does not look too good.
After getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Manchester City, Chelsea’s competitive season does not resume until December 27, with a home game against Bournemouth league awaiting.
We are currently eighth in the table and went to the World Cup break with three defeats in five league games. Although a winter World Cup is not in everyone’s remit, it was probably the right time to get a break to almost cut the circuit of bad form.
The hope now is that the break and an extended time on the training pitch would help Potter and the players to understand what is the best way to move forward and get wins under their belt.
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The added positive is that the key players, who were injured during the World Cup, are now recovering and have had a long period off. So, they must be physically ready to play without the danger of fatigue.