Chelsea prepare for a crucial Premier League fixture as Liam Rosenior addresses injuries and selection decisions before Burnley arrive at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea return to action on Saturday with Liam Rosenior’s side hosting Burnley at Stamford Bridge in a match that carries significant weight in the race for a top-four finish. It comes after a rare full week on the training ground for the Blues, whose last outing ended in a comfortable 4-0 FA Cup victory over Hull City.
Before that, however, Chelsea dropped points in the league after surrendering a two-goal lead against Leeds United, allowing the visitors to draw level during a chaotic six-minute spell in London. With momentum and consistency both key at this stage of the season, Rosenior has now provided an update on several important first-team players.
Rosenior confirms Cucurella setback but offers positive update on others
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Rosenior confirmed that Marc Cucurella is sidelined with a hamstring issue, though he avoided putting a timeline on the defender’s return.
“I can’t give a timescale with Marc. He has a hamstring injury. It’s a real shame. He’s one of the best left-backs in the world. We have Jorrel, we have Mamadou. The sooner he gets back, the better,” he said.
The Chelsea boss also addressed the fitness status of Reece James and Cole Palmer, explaining that both players are being assessed daily but are currently in good shape.
“It’s day by day. It’s how each player feels. They trained well today, they’re both fit and available for selection. Having both players available makes our team better.”
Predicted Chelsea setup with Hato expected to start
Cucurella’s absence opens the door for Jorrel Hato to continue in the side, especially after his recent performances, while Mamadou Sarr is also pushing for minutes following an encouraging display against Hull. Rosenior will continue to monitor the condition of James and Palmer, though both are expected to be available for involvement.
Out wide, with Gittens still unavailable, Chelsea can choose between Estevao, Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto for the attacking roles. Liam Delap impressed in the FA Cup victory, but Joao Pedro is still likely to keep his place in the starting lineup as Chelsea look to strengthen their top-four push against Burnley.
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