Chelsea injury news: Londoners Bwest have taken a number of physical hits to the likes of Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in recent weeks

Chelsea have suffered a plethora of injuries to key players of late.

The likes of Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been sidelined several times this season, although Graham Potter’s side have been buoyed by Chilwell, James, Sterling and Fofana all returning to training .

The Blues also added a number of new players to the squad during the January transfer window, bringing in talented Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk and Portuguese striker João Felix, among others. The west London side will be next in action when they face Fulham on February 3 at Stamford Bridge and football london brings you all the Blues news and injury updates ahead of the Premier League game.

Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah was forced off after falling off the ball against Liverpool and it has since been confirmed that he was just suffering from cramp. He received treatment from the club’s physiotherapist and was replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta for the final 10 minutes of the game.

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What Potter said: “I don’t know to be honest. I had to go out and talk to you guys.”

Injury: Cramp

Expected date of return: Fulham – February 3rd

Reece James
James suffered a knee injury in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over AC Milan last year after a collision with Theo Hernandez. Then, upon his return after the World Cup, he faced Bournemouth, causing another injury.

The 23-year-old returned to Cobham’s turf before the defeat by Fulham, but was still training alone. Then, before the draw with Liverpool, he started training in the starting line-up again.

Still, Chelsea are hoping James will feature in some form in their upcoming Premier League game against Fulham on February 3.

What Potter said: “The boys are progressing well. Reece [James] has joined the team’s training but will not be involved at the weekend [against Liverpool].”

Injury: Knee

Expected date of return: Fulham – February 3rd

Ben Chilwell
In recent days, Chilwell has also returned to training as a starter. The defender has missed much of the season so he will be keen to get back into the game and increase Chelsea’s chances of claiming a place in the top four.

Chelsea are also hoping Chilwell will play against Fulham.

What Potter said: “The boys are progressing well. Reece [James] has joined the team training but won’t be involved over the weekend. Same for Ben Chilwell.”

Injury: Thigh

Expected date of return: Fulham – February 3rd

N’Golo Kante
Kante has suffered an injury-plagued campaign so far, but the midfielder has finally returned to Cobham, albeit training alone. The Frenchman is getting closer and closer to the peak of physical form but, until he reaches the first team, his debut under Potter leaves something to be desired.

What Potter said: “N’Golo has made his early days training alone, but there’s still a long, long way to go.”

Injury: hamstrings

Expected date of return: early March

Cute Wesley
Having missed most of the season so far, ex-Leicester Wesley Fofana’s influence in defense has been somewhat felt in his absence. However, in a huge boost for the Blues and the defender himself, it looks like a comeback is in the offing, having been pictured in training again.

According to the Evening Standard, Fofana expects to return in the next fortnight. The French defender has already been seen taking part in first-team training but may not be available for selection against Fulham

Injury: Knee

Expected return date: West Ham (A) – February 11th

Denis Zakaria
The Chelsea loanee has impressed in recent weeks, working his way into the first team after a slow start to his career at Stamford Bridge. However, in a huge blow to the side, he was sent off in the 56th minute in the defeat to Fulham and dealt a huge blow to Potter’s midfield options.

What Potter said: “Denis will probably be four weeks old. It’s the top of his quad and that’s a blow for us. I hope he can come back sooner.”

Injury: Thigh

Expected return date: February

Christian Pulisic
Pulisic was substituted through injury in the Premier League defeat by Manchester City, coming off badly from a tackle by John Stones. The United States international was visibly distressed as he fell twice after the challenge.

He was eventually replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka and was also absent from the matchday squad for the FA Cup clash against City. He is set for another long spell on the sidelines.

What Potter said: “No way, no, he’ll be out after that [January transfer deadline] and there was never any consideration of him leaving anyway. He’s out for a few months.

“He is disappointed but optimistic about returning in less than two months. He is in that phase where he keeps his fingers crossed and hopes his rehabilitation goes well.”

Injury: Knee

Expected return date: March

Raheem Sterling
Sterling was replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the opening minutes of the same match, Chelsea lost Pulisic. The 28-year-old winger fell to the ground with a grimace on his face after a collision with John Stones.

However, Sterling is expected to step up his recovery from his hamstring injury in the coming days, football.london understands and it is expected that he will be able to return to team training early next week. The English international has already returned to the pitch and will do light individual training with a view to returning to Potter’s squad in the coming weeks, confirmed the club this Thursday.

What Potter said: “Raheem less [than Pulisic], but we’re still assessing the extent of that. Hopefully less than that, though.”

Injury: hamstrings

Expected return date: West Ham (A) – February 11th

Edouard Mendy
Chelsea have confirmed that Mendy has undergone surgery on a broken finger suffered in training and will miss the next few games.

The Senegalese goalkeeper lost the match against Bournemouth and didn’t even make the bench against Forest. He had already returned from international duty in October through injury, but has played for his club ever since, despite being replaced at number 1 by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Injury: Finger

Expected date of return: Unknown

Armando Broja
After excelling in the team’s mid-season friendly agaaaaaaaainst Aston Villa, Armando Broja can be heard suffering in pain as his knee injury more than definitely cut short his 22/23 season. Having made quite an impression under Potter, it was a serious blow for the former Southampton loanee.

What Potter said: ”It was just an unfortunate action. He was picked up by the player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment, but it’s too early to tell. Fingers crossed, but it’s weird.”

Injury: Knee