Chelsea missed the opportunity to create a 10 point gap between themselves and fifth-place on Thursday with a 1-1 draw at Manchester United, as they look to secure their spot in the top four with just five games to go.
Thomas Tuchel was without five of his players for the Old Trafford contest in midweek, including four who missed Sunday’s defeat of West Ham United, and he will hope to welcome back one or two ahead of this weekend’s clash with Everton.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Stamford Bridge and the expected return dates for those currently on the sidelines.
Andreas Christensen
Defender Andreas Christensen missed his second consecutive Chelsea game in midweek since being forced off at half-time of last week’s 4-2 defeat to Arsenal, lasting just 45 minutes of the contest, as he continues to struggle with illness.
Tuchel confirmed before Sunday’s game with West Ham that the Dane was struggling with stomach cramps, but was aiming for a return against Man Utd on Thursday. However, things didn’t go to plan, yet there is hope that Christensen will have made a full recovery ahead of this weekend.
On Wednesday, Tuchel said: ""Andreas needs another examination, but hopefully he will train."
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Ross Barkley
Ross Barkley was the latest player to join the absence list for Chelsea after missing the game against Man Utd on Thursday through illness, yet it has not been specified as to what he is struggling with, nor has it been confirmed as a Covid-19 case.
The midfielder last featured for the Blues in the 2-0 defeat of Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on December 22, but has been named in a number of matchday squads since, including Chelsea’s last two games prior to Thursday’s draw at Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old is now facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s clash with his former side, but if he overcomes the worst of his bout of illness, then it can be expected that he will be back in the matchday squad once more.
Mateo Kovacic
Mateo Kovacic continued to miss out for the Blues in midweek as he steps up his recovery from a ligament injury that he picked up during the 2-0 defeat of Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals on April 17.
The Croatian’s injury had ruled him out for at least two weeks, meaning he has missed Chelsea’s last three games, and it is expected that he will have to wait a little while longer to make his return to the side, with next week’s clash against Wolves a potential return date.
Speaking on April 19, Tuchel said: "Kova is out of the game (vs Arsenal), ligament injury. Hopefully, not longer than two weeks."
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has been out of action since starting in the 3-2 victory over Luton Town in the FA Cup Fifth Round on March 2, before picking up an Achilles injury following his involvement in that match, which was followed by some lower back problems.
The 21-year-old has been ruled out of action ever since, while Tuchel confirmed last week that he is yet to join in with first team training. The German also confirmed that he won’t be rushed back, meaning he will remain absent for the foreseeable future.
Speaking on April 19, Tuchel said: “With Callum, we take things day by day and week by week but it is not possible for him to join in with team training just yet. We will not rush him either."
Ben Chilwell
Left-back Ben Chilwell remains out for the season after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL back in December, with his last appearance coming in the 4-0 victory over Juventus in the Champions League group stage that month.
The England international has begun his rehabilitation and stepped up his recovery in recent weeks, while Tuchel confirmed last week that he will begin training with the youth team, with the hope that he can link up with the rest of the squad by the end of the season.
Speaking on April 19, Tuchel said: "Ben will be able to join in team training with the youth, this will be his next step in the weeks and hopefully, he can join our training at the end of the season."
