Chelsea remain lower down the Premier League table than they would like as their troubles continued at Fulham on Thursday evening. The Blues suffered their first defeat against their London rivals in 17 years as the pressure mounts on to Graham Potter.
Denis Zakaria became the latest player to be sidelined through injury after picking up a thigh problem in the second half of their 2-1 defeat against Marco Silva's side. New signing Joao Felix was sent off on his debut after a promising start and will now miss the next three matches - returning for the clash against West Ham in February.
Potter must now look to lift his players ahead of their match against Crystal Palace on Sunday despite having won just once in their last eight games. Patrick Vieira's side come into the contest at Stamford Bridge on the back of two straight home defeats, including a 4-0 drubbing to Tottenham last week.
READ MORE: Chelsea in talks over fifth January signing as Ruud van Nistelrooy confirms transfer interest
Chelsea have won the previous 11 meetings between the two sides, last falling to defeat in October 2017 under Antonio Conte. With that being said, football.london takes a look at the latest from the Chelsea treatment room.
Denis Zakaria
The Chelsea loanee was forced off after 56 minutes in the defeat to Fulham and has handed a major blow to Potter's midfield options. Zakaria has started the previous four league games after breaking into Potter's team.
What Potter said: "The only assessment is it's at the top of the quad. He felt it when he cleared the ball. In terms of the extent, it's too early to say."
Injury: Quadricep
Expected return date: Unknown
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
The midfielder joined his team-mates in training for the first time since November on Tuesday (December 10) but the Fulham clash was deemed too soon. However, he could be available this weekend and provide Potter with the versatility needed in the coming run of games.
What Potter said: “They’re making progress. Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] is getting closer."
Injury: Calf
Expected return date: Crystal Palace (H)
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic was subbed off with an injury in the Premier League defeat to Manchester City, coming off worse in a tackle by John Stones. The United States international was visibly distressed as he went down twice following the challenge.
He was eventually replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka and also was absent from the matchday squad for the FA Cup clash against City. He is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
What Potter said: “No chance, no, he will be out past that [January transfer deadline] and there was never any consideration about him leaving anyway. He is a couple of months out.
"He is disappointed but he is optimistic about coming back quicker than two months. He is in that phase where he is keeping his fingers crossed and hoping his rehab goes well.”
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Unknown
Raheem Sterling
Sterling was replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inside the opening couple of minutes in the same fixture Chelsea lost Pulisic. The 28-year-old winger fell to the floor with a grimace on his face following a collision with John Stones.
The Athletic reported that the forward is set for a scan on his hamstring to understand the extent of the injury he has suffered and understandably, Sterling was not named in the 18-man squad that travelled to his old stomping ground on Sunday, with Potter giving a brief update on the summer signing.
His second scan is believed to have shown worse damage than first thought though.
What Potter said:. "Raheem less (than Pulisic) but we’re still evaluating the extent of it. Hopefully less than that, though."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Unknown
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea confirmed on Saturday that Mendy had undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained during training this week, meaning he will be absent from the squad in the coming games.
The Senegalese shot-stopper missed the Bournemouth match and didn't even make the bench against Forest. He had previously come back from international duty in October with an injury but played for his club since then despite being replaced as No1 by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Unknown
Reece James
Pulling up against Bournemouth, James has suffered a further injury after the defender missed the World Cup in Qatar. James has posted an image of himself and N'Golo Kante in recovery though, boosting Chelsea fans' mood in the new year with the caption: "On the mend."
What Potter said: "Reece [James] was out on the grass today, not training with the team but on his own."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: February
Wesley Fofana
Having missed most of the season so far, former Leicester man Wesley Fofana's influence at the back has been somewhat felt in his absence. Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva have performed well, but the Frenchman will be keen to return to action soon.
What Potter said: ''Wesley had a little setback, which can sometimes happen at the very last stage of rehab, so he will be [out for] a couple of weeks."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: February
N'Golo Kante
Having also missed the World Cup, 2018 winners France fell at the final hurdle, with some hinting that N'Golo Kante's influence may have been missed in midfield.
What Potter said: "N’Golo did his first couple of days out training on his own but there is still a long, long way to go."
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: February
Ben Chilwell
Again have missed large parts of the Blues season, fellow defender Ben Chilwell will be keen to get back fit and help Chelsea's chances of claiming a place in the top four this season.
What Potter said: "Ben [Chilwell] is getting closer."
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: February
Armando Broja
Having pulled up nastily in the side's mid-season friendly against Aston Villa, Armando Broja could be heard reeling in pain as his knee injury more than definitely curtailed his 22/23 season. Having made quite the impression under Potter, it was a sad blow for the former Southampton loanee.
What Potter said: ''It was just an unfortunate action. He got caught up with their player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment but it’s too early to say. Fingers crossed but it is an awkward one.''
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Late 2023
READ NEXT:
How Kai Havertz released his fury as pressure builds on Graham Potter amid Chelsea fans' rage
Four things learned as Joao Felix debut exposes brutal Chelsea realities in defeat to Fulham
Every word Graham Potter said on Joao Felix red card, Zakaria injury, Chelsea supporters' anger
Chelsea player ratings vs Fulham as Joao Felix spoils debut, Mason Mount and Kepa struggle
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
