Football news updatez

Chelsea started October with a brilliant 2-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Mauricio Pochettino’s side took an early lead through Mykhailo Mudryk before Armando Broja doubled the visitors’ lead inside 20 minutes.

The Blues made four changes from their Carabao Cup third round victory against Brighton last week with Nicolas Jackson suspended and Raheem Sterling named amongst the substitutes. Pochettino revealed the England international had been suffering from a virus in the days leading up to their clash against Fulham – but Sterling featured as a second half substitute.

What Pochettino has said: “He was doing well,” he told Sky Sports. “[It is] unlucky that at half time he felt something in his quad but we hope that it is not a big issue and he will be ready for Saturday.”

Expected return date: Burnley (A) – Saturday, October 7

Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo sustained a few knocks to his left knee during the win against Fulham. The Ecuadorian midfielder was spotted with strapping on his knee – but not appearing to be in any discomfort as he walked freely down the tunnel at full-time.

What Pochettino has said: “I hope there is nothing wrong, but it was a contusion.”

Expected return date: Burnley (A) – Saturday, October 7

Reece James
According to the Daily Mail, Reece James is close to returning to full training. The report states that the right-back could be ready to ‘accelerate’ his involvement next week, with the Premier League tie against Burnley on October 7 described as ‘too soon’.

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Instead, there is ‘hope’ that he will be ready after the upcoming international break when Chelsea lock horns with Arsenal on October 21. All eyes on James.

What Pochettino has said: “He’s recovering well. I don’t know if he’s close or not because we assess him every single day but he’s started to do things on the pitch with the ball. He’s really well. He’s desperate to play for the team. Yes, I hope it’s close, also so he can be available before the next international break.”

Expected return date: Late October

Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke was not named in the matchday squad for the Blues’ midweek clash against Brighton. He picked up a knock during international duty but the issue doesn’t seem serious, with the winger taking part in training at Cobham on Monday.

Pochettino revealed that his absence was partially due to to the 21-year-old being seen partying whilst he was out injury. “In my opinion, he is working hard to try and recover,” the Argentine said. “He came back from the national break 10 days ago. Now he is well. He is trying to be on the same level as the team.

We were talking about that, it’s a thing you need to avoid. All of the players need to know that when you are a player of Chelsea, you need to avoid these things. It wasn’t a big issue, but we need to avoid these types of situation. He is recovering from the national team and we will see if he is fit.”

Expected return date: Fulham (A) – Monday, October 2

Ben Chilwell
Ben Chilwell was forced off the pitch after colliding with Billy Gilmour in the dying embers of Chelsea’s clash with Brighton. Once helped to his feet by the club medics, the left-back managed to walk off and around the pitch by himself without showing any signs of discomfort.

Reports suggest that Chilwell faces at least four weeks out of the team. However, with the international break coming up his missed matches may well be reduced if recovery goes well after this latest setback.

What Pochettino has said: “It was bad that it was in the last minute of the game, and of course, we are really sad about the news around Ben. Time, it’s difficult to know now because it was less than two days since it happened.

“We need to assess him over the next few days, and for sure the club will communicate.”

Expected return date: Brentford (H) – Saturday, October 28

Carney Chukwuemeka
Chukwuemeka was the only goalscorer in the side’s 3-1 loss to West Ham, but a knee injury just before half-time saw him leave the London Stadium on crutches. football.london understands that Chukwuemeka was expected to be out for a possible six weeks, but he could be back sooner rather than later.

On Tuesday, September 26, Chelsea confirmed that Chukwuemeka had returned to partial training at Cobham.

What Pochettino has said: “I think maybe Carney [will be available], and of course Noni [Madueke] also. After his issue [he had] when he came back from the national team, he’s getting ready and working hard. I hope these two players are available for selection on Monday.”

Expected return date: Fulham (A) – October 2

Benoit Badiashile
Badiashile missed the opening weeks of the season with a hamstring injury picked up at the end of the 2022/23 season, but a return seems close. The club’s official social media account posted a video of Badiashile back in training action on Monday, though Pochettino confirmed he would not be ready to return just yet.

Chelsea confirmed that Badiashile resumed partial team training on Tuesday, September 26, after suffering a minor setback earlier in the month.

What Pochettino has said: “Yeah [he had a setback] but it was in a different muscle but it was minor, it was small.”

Expected return date: Burnley (A) – October 7

Romeo Lavia
Lavia is yet to feature for Chelsea, with Pochettino eager for him to catch up to the rest of the squad’s fitness levels before getting involved. The Belgian midfielder is said to have suffered a muscle tear on his ankle during the international break which could delay his debut for the Blues further.

football.london understands that the ankle injury is set to keep Lavia out of action for at least one month, meaning he may not feature until at least October.

What Pochettino has said: “We are really disappointed because he was training really well last week in the international break. He twisted his ankle and now we are waiting for the results on Monday from the doctor. We hope it’s not a big issue but in the last week, he has not been training with the team.

“It’s a sad situation because he was nearly fit to be involved again with the team. Yes, now we need to wait and hopefully, it’s not a big issue for him and the team of course.

“We don’t know [when he’ll be back] because we need to assess him. He twisted his ankle and now we need to assess him. We do not know the time for him to recover.”

Expected return date: October.

Trevoh Chalobah
Trevoh Chalobah is still yet to make an appearance this season and was expected to depart during the transfer window as well. The defender has been struggling with fitness since pre-season.

During Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States, he went often down twice during matches and had to be taken off on both occasions. He also hasn’t been seen in training since and no update has since been given other than the club’s weekly general statement.

What Pochettino has said: “He [Benoit Badiashile] was training with Reece James. I think Reece and Chukwuemeka and also Chalobah are very close to start training with the team.”

Expected return date: Fulham (A) – Monday, October 2

Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku has been sidelined since being substituted against Borussia Dortmund in the club’s final pre-season game. A major blow to the Blues’ squad after arriving for over £60million in the summer, Pochettino admitted he’d be sorely missed in the first half of the season.

What Pochettino has said: “We feel very sorry about him. He was doing well, he was very important player for us. I think the quality is there, one of the best offensive players that can play in different positions always is a big issue for us. Now it’s about not thinking too much about the injuries and being positive about when he can be again with us and recover as soon as possible in a good way.