Chelsea are heading into the World Cup break eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur following a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United. The Blues extended their winless run in the Premier League to five games.
A few weeks of rest-bite couldn't have come at a better time for the west Londoners, with numerous key players currently out injured. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Cesar Azpilicueta joined the growing list of absentees after pulling up at St James' Park.
With Reece James and Ben Chilwell set to be available again once the squad congregate after the World Cup, Graham Potter will be looking forward to transforming Chelsea's form ahead of the January transfer window. But, for the time being, the 47-year-old will be hoping that none of his players who are in Qatar will get injured.
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With that being said, football.london has taken a look at all the injuries Potter must consider ahead of Chelsea's clash with Newcastle this afternoon.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta came off at half-time for Christian Pulisic after feeling some discomfort. The severity of the defender's issue remains to be seen.
What Potter said: "Azpi was also struggling a little bit so we had to take him off at halftime."
Expected return date: Unknown.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was replaced by Thiago Silva inside the opening five minutes of Chelsea's clash with Newcastle United. The 26-year-old has done well to evade injury in recent times despite an injury-ridden past.
He went down unchallenged after beginning to limp, feeling discomfort in the lower leg region. The severity of Loftus-Cheek's knock remains to be seen but the midfielder was pictured to be clutching at his calf.
The Cobham graduate, who was once infamous for picking up knocks, has featured 19 times for Chelsea across all competitions this season, directly contributing towards one goal. With fewer injuries to worry about, Loftus-Cheek has become a key piece of the Blues success in recent times, operating at both centre-midfielder and right wing-back.
What Potter said: "Losing Ruben when we did and the Azpi was also struggling a little bit so we had to take him off at halftime."
Expected return date: Unknown.
Reece James
Gareth Southgate decided to omit Reece James from the England squad for the World Cup later this month. The 22-year-old defender was a huge doubt for the international tournament after suffering a knee injury in Chelsea's 2-0 win over AC Milan last month.
What Southgate said: "We had to make a very difficult call with Reece, who is a fantastic player. He was not going to be available – if everything went perfectly – until the latter stages of the tournament, and there were too many unknowns for us on that road to recovery."
What Potter said: "No miracles. Progressing... progressing well. Reece was outside today having a jog, but nothing to report in terms of anything else."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (H) December 26.
N'Golo Kante
Chelsea will be without Kante until the New Year it seems after having surgery on his hamstring. The 31-year-old has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons and, with his contract at Stamford Bridge set to expire in the summer, he faces an increasingly uncertain future at the club.
What Potter said: "He's got a long road ahead of him, so we've got to make sure we get the right plan and recovery for him."
Expected return date: 2023.
Ben Chilwell
Chelsea have confirmed that Ben Chilwell is out of the World Cup after he limped off in the final moments of Chelsea's Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb. He pulled up clutching his hamstring in the fourth minute of added time before being helped off the field by the Blues medical staff after the full-time whistle.
The 25-year-old had just recently recovered from a long-term knee injury. He sent an emotional message after the diagnosis was made public.
What Potter said: "It's a blow to see him pull up like that is not a great sight. So fingers crossed that when we get it scanned, it isn't as bad as it can be not severe. We have our fingers crossed at the moment, but obviously, we're disappointed."
Expected return date: Unknown.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa was subbed off at half-time against Brighton due to a foot injury. As a result, he will now be out until at least after the World Cup.
What Potter said: "He's got to take it day by day. It's a tear in his plantar fascia, so depending on how he responds to pain and how comfortable he feels. At the moment, not so positive."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (H) December 26.
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