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Bobby Vincent

Double injury boost, Mendy steps up - Three things spotted in Chelsea training ahead of Everton

We're now midway through March and it finally looks as if Chelsea have some sort of momentum as we approach the business end of the 2022/23 season.

Wins against Leeds United, Borussia Dortmund and Leicester City have properly lifted the mood amongst the Chelsea fan base and it surely would have had a similar effect within the squad. This weekend sees struggling Everton travel to Stamford Bridge as the Toffees look for just their second away win of the season, while Chelsea will be desperate to make it four victories on the bounce in all competitions.

Graham Potter was a man massively under pressure going into the last three games but wins in all three have taken the spotlight away from the Blues head coach. Temporarily, at least.

READ MORE: Champions League draw simulated: Chelsea get dream tie as Romelu Lukaku faces tough challenge

Three points on Saturday against Everton would see Chelsea go up to ninth-place in the Premier League table, with Fulham not in action this weekend. It's more of a dream right now, granted, but there is still some hope at least that the Blues could at least mount a challenge to get in the top-four this season.

Preparations for the match with the Toffees are almost over, with Chelsea training at Cobham this week. With that being said, football.london takes a look at the images released from Wednesday's session and pick out some things spotted.

High spirits at Cobham

We've already spoken about it but the wins over the last week or so have really lifted the mood within the camp at Cobham. It's clear to see this with the images released, with the players having a laugh and joke with each other while doing serious work to be in the best shape for the match with Everton.

And why not? Chelsea, at the time of writing, have an almost fully fit squad to choose from. That might not sound like much but it has been such a rarity this season in what has been a hugely injury-disrupted campaign for Potter.

However, it's not quite complete, with Armando Broja (out for the season) and Thiago Silva both absent with long-term injuries. Potter will be desperate for the recent injury fortunes to continue and he will be praying nothing happens to any of his players when they jet off to play for their countries over the upcoming two-week international break.

Mendy steps up recovery

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was pictured back in full training on Tuesday and the Senegalese shot-stopper was again spotted stepping up his recovery from a finger injury. The 31-year-old was pictured doing some catching and throwing practice in case he is needed at the weekend.

The likelihood is that Kepa Arrizabalaga will retain his place in the first-team as that was the case prior to Mendy's injury. The Senegal international, however, will be hoping he gets the chance to impress Potter between now and the end of the season so he can win his place back from Kepa.

If not, then there is a serious possibility Mendy could leave the club in the summer transfer window. football.london understands signing a new goalkeeper is on the agenda for Chelsea at the end of the season.

Aubameyang doing gym work

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was an absentee from the Chelsea squad that won at Leicester at the weekend. The Gabonese striker, though, has been spotted at Cobham this week undergoing preparations for Saturday.

Aubameyang was pictured doing some gym work as he steps up recovery from a back problem. The 33-year-old has only played 12 times in the Premier League this season for the Blues, so the likelihood of him being involved in any manner on Saturday is low.

The former Barcelona striker always seems to be in high spirits when pictured in training, though, and there have been no qualms over his attitude since joining which is testament to his character since moving to Chelsea last summer. Aubameyang actually has a decent record against Everton in the Premier League – scoring four goals in six games versus the Toffees in his days at Arsenal.

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