Enzo Maresca was without several first team stars for Chelsea’s defeat at Arsenal in their most recent Premier League match but there is some cause for optimism
Chelsea weren’t able to make it three wins in a row ahead of the international break. Enzo Maresca’s men fell to a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday, leaving them nine points behind the Gunners, but will hope to get back to winning ways in April while welcoming back some senior stars.
The Blues were without Cole Palmer for their trip to North London, and struggled in front of goal without their leading scorer. Palmer will miss England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, but will hope to be back sooner rather than later.
Chelsea’s FA Cup elimination means they won’t return to action until April 3. They have back-to-back London derbies awaiting them, at home to Tottenham and away at Brentford, before the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final against Legia Warszawa.
Maresca’s side are under pressure in the race for Champions League qualification. They have lost four of their last seven games in the league, and still sit fourth but just two points above sixth-place Newcastle – who have a game in hand.
Palmer isn’t the only Chelsea player hoping to return in time to face Spurs. Here, Mirror Football provides the latest on those currently missing for Maresca.
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino on Tottenham return hope, Chelsea and managing EnglandREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher pinpoints huge problem facing Cole Palmer at Chelsea
Marc Guiu
Injury: Thigh/hamstring
Guiu picked up a problem in early February when he went down injured towards the end of the victory over West Ham. His absence came at an unfortunate time, coinciding as it did with fellow striker Nicolas Jackson’s injury.
“Marc Guiu, unfortunately, it’s a bad injury,” Maresca said days after that West Ham game. “Could be [long-term], yeah. We are still waiting but it doesn’t look a short injury. It’s a long injury. Probably weeks or months.”
Possible return date: April 3
Nicolas Jackson
Injury: Hamstring
Jackson, like Guiu, suffered a hamstring problem against West Ham. Indeed, it was Guiu who took the Senegal forward’s place when he left the field early in the second half against Graham Potter’s side.
“Nico will be out until the international break, probably available after the international break,” Maresca said at the time. “We knew it was a muscle problem but we didn’t know how important it was. We thought not a big injury. He had the scan and it will be 6-8 weeks.”
Possible return date: April 3
Omari Kellyman
Injury: Hamstring
Summer signing Kellyman has endured a tough time since joining from Aston Villa. Injury put paid to a loan exit in January but the 19-year-old played 35 minutes for Chelsea’s Under-21s against Norwich on March 14.
It was his first taste of Premier League 2 action since August, but he’s now suffered another setback and is out for the season. In an emotional statement released on Tuesday, he said: “Beyond gutted to say that this season has come to an early end for me due to a another injury on my hamstring, despite only just returning after having hamstring issues for a massive part of this season. 24/25 has been a tough season for me mentally and physically due to injury but it’s important now that I take time to get this right and come out the other side stronger and better ready for what next season brings
Possible return date: Next season
Noni Madueke
Injury: Hamstring
Madueke’s hamstring injury kept him out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad. The winger last played in the Premier League defeat at Brighton on Valentine’s Day, but he’s close to returning.
“[Jackson] will be back probably after the international break. Him and Noni,” Maresca said before Chelsea’s Conference League game against Copenhagen on March 13. “Before the international break we have two games, and finally, [the] break where we can recover the players and go for the last sprint.”
Possible return date: April 3
Mykhailo Mudryk
Injury: N/A
Mudryk is suspended rather than injured, but has similarly been unavailable. The Ukrainian winger last featured for the first team in late November, when he scored in a Conference League win away to Heidenheim.
He failed a doping test in December, though he says he has “never knowingly” taken any banned substance. “There’s nothing to add unless the club, coaching staff and people inside the training ground support and trust Misha,” Maresca said in December.
“We trust Misha. When these things happen you need to support your player in all aspects. Misha is a Chelsea player but he’s for sure involved in the squad so it’s my duty to be in contact with him. For me, the players, team-mates, we’re all here. We’re all upset, sad. At the moment he can’t train but the club is there to support him in all aspects.”
Possible return date: Unknown
Cole Palmer
Injury: Muscle injury
Chelsea confirmed Palmer has left the England camp due to his injury, and he will remain with Chelsea for further assessment on an injury sustained in training.
“Last week, as we know, he had some problem and unfortunately, yesterday he had a very small problem and we think that probably after the international break he will be ready to be back with us,” Maresca said after the Arsenal game.
“He had an injury yesterday during the session. It was a very light session and that’s why we think it’s nothing important. We still need to wait and we hope he can be back after the international break.”
Possible return date: Unknown
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