Chelsea have launched a review into the practices used by the club’s medical department, with Graham Potter currently deprived of 11 first-team players.
The Blues have won just once in their last nine Premier League matches after suffering a miserable 2-1 defeat at the hands of rivals Fulham on Thursday night. Joao Felix was sent off on his debut as Kalidou Koulibaly’s goal proved scant consolation, with strikes from Willian and Carlos Vinicius winning it for Fulham.
Felix is now facing a three-match suspension, while midfielder Denis Zakaria had to be substituted after picking up an injury at Craven Cottage. He joined Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Edouard Mendy on the sidelines.
Chelsea ’s 11 absentees is by far the highest of any Premier League club. League-leaders Arsenal have just two, with Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson out injured. Liverpool have the next most injuries, with eight, while Thursday’s opponents Fulham have just four – two of which are due to suspension.
The Telegraph reports that the Blues are undergoing a review into the medical department because owner Todd Boehly and the consortium he represents believe injuries are the biggest factor holding back Potter currently. The takeover last May was followed by lots of upheaval, which impacted the medical department as well as every other facet of the club.
Medical chief Paco Biosca and head physio Thierry Laurent were both dismissed, with the new American owners deciding to outsource some of the medical work to a private physiotherapy company. That compromise led to the strange situation which saw Fofana flown to America for medical checks after completing his £75million move from Leicester.
Both Fofana and James have suffered setbacks after their initial injuries and there is reportedly unhappiness at the training ground over the departure of well-respected duo Biosca and Laurent. Players believe they have been rushed back too soon, or have been allowed to play with knocks.
Potter was asked about the injury problem after the defeat by Fulham. “Yeah, absolutely, we’re looking all the time, we’re going over how they are happening, trying to evaluate the whole thing,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to know how things have happened. It’s a bit of bad luck, but it’s also knowing how we can go forward and improve.”
He added: “There’s not anything at the moment. There’s not even a pattern, different problems. It’s tricky. It’s not like we’ve been overtraining. We certainly need to get to the bottom of it.”
Although he didn’t make it onto the pitch, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned from a back problem on Thursday night – and more players are expected back next month.
That might be too late for Chelsea, though, who are 10th in the Premier League and preparing for games against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Fulham, as well as the upcoming Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund.
