Chelsea’s preparations for their upcoming match against Burnley have been hit by a triple injury blow. Cole Palmer, Malo Gusto, and Levi Colwill are all dealing with their respective fitness issues, leaving their availability uncertain.

 

Cole Palmer, who was on the bench for England’s recent match against Belgium, did not feature in the game. However, his absence from training and the squad list suggests that he may still be recovering from a minor knock that kept him out of the first friendly of the international break.

 

Carney Chukwuemeka, another Chelsea player, withdrew from the England under-21 squad due to fitness concerns and has returned to the club. He is expected to work on his fitness at Cobham and could potentially be available for the Burnley match on March 30.

Malo Gusto had to return from France under-23 duty due to illness, and his return date is also uncertain. Similarly, Levi Colwill, who has been dealing with a toe problem, has not been seen in training pictures and his availability for the Burnley game remains in doubt.

 

In addition to the mentioned players, Christopher Nkunku, Lesley Ugochukwu, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia are also dealing with injuries of varying severity. Nkunku is currently recovering from a hamstring issue, with no specific return date provided. Ugochukwu has been absent for more than 20 matches due to a hamstring problem, and his return date is unknown. Reece James, who underwent hamstring surgery, is working on his rehabilitation and could potentially return in April. Wesley Fofana is still recovering from an ACL rupture and is unlikely to feature this season. Romeo Lavia’s return from a thigh injury suffered on his debut is yet to be determined, as no recent update on his recovery has been provided.

 

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed the challenges faced by the injured players, particularly Nkunku, and emphasized the importance of their recovery and regaining consistent playing time. With several key players facing uncertainty, Chelsea will have to carefully manage their resources as they prepare for the Burnley match.