CHELSEA record signing Moises Caicedo is the latest star to be added to the club’s extremely expensive injury list.
Mauricio Pochettino has a number of stars on the treatment table so was forced to pick several academy players on his substitutes bench against Bournemouth.
Captain Reece James has been absent since suffering yet another hamstring injury on the opening day against Liverpool.
That is just one of several issues Pochettino faces, with injuries affecting every department on the pitch.
Caicedo missed the trip to Bournemouth and will be assessed ahead of the match against Aston Villa at the weekend.
The Blues midfield is down to bare bones with fellow summer signing Romeo Lavia also unavailable.
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The 19-year-old is yet to make his Chelsea debut and the club fear he could be out for an extended period due to an ankle problem.
Another young player, Carney Chukwuemeka, has been out for a month after making a promising start to the season, but he could be back in a few weeks.
Noni Madueke could also be back soon after returning from England Under-21s duty with a small muscle issue.
However the same cannot be said of Christopher Nkunku, who could be out until Christmas after undergoing knee surgery.
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Chelsea injured XI
Marcus Bettinelli – Free transfer Reece James – Academy
Wesley Fofana – £70m Benoit Badiashile – £35m
Trevoh Chalobah – Academy Romeo Lavia – £58m
Moises Caicedo – £115m Carney Chukwuemeka – £20m
Noni Madueke – £35m Armando Broja – Academy
Christopher Nkunku – £52m
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Wesley Fofana also injured his knee and may miss the entire season – injury has restricted the £70m signing to just 20 Chelsea appearances since arriving last year.
Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah’s injuries mean Poch has been down to slim pickings at the back, particularly as Marc Cucurella missed the trip to the Cherries because of illness.
However there is some good news for Pochettino as Armando Broja is close to a return, though the club will take precautions as the striker is recovering from an ACL injury.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
