Mauricio Pochettino revealed that Chelsea will be without two more key players when they face Tottenham in the upcoming Premier League clash.
The Blues have been grappling with a string of injuries to key starters like Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling, Reece James, and Enzo Fernandez in recent weeks.
Speaking ahead of the match against Spurs, Pochettino delivered somber news, stating that Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi will also be sidelined for the game at Stamford Bridge.
“There’s no positive update on the injury front. Unfortunately, we can’t welcome back any players from the current injury list,” Pochettino lamented when asked about the squad’s status. “Disasi and Thiago will be the additional absentees for tomorrow’s game,” he added.
When questioned about the severity of Chelsea’s injury crisis this season, Pochettino acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic about the medical staff’s capabilities. “I must admit, we have a different approach.
While there’s room for improvement, I have full confidence in our medical team,” he said. “We aim to enhance our performance and capabilities next season, but the quality is unquestionably present. It’s just one of those phases.”
Pochettino’s former club, Tottenham, currently sit fifth in the Premier League and are still vying for a Champions League spot.
However, they will be without Ben Davies and Timo Werner for the remainder of the season, as confirmed by manager Ange Postecoglou.
Ahead of their visit to Stamford Bridge, Spurs find themselves seven points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa, with two games in hand. Despite a recent 3-2 loss to Arsenal in the north London derby, Tottenham remain focused on securing a positive result against Chelsea.
Reflecting on his return to face his former club, Pochettino expressed mixed emotions. “It’s fantastic to be back at Stamford Bridge,” he remarked.
“Facing former colleagues will undoubtedly stir up emotions, but our objective remains unchanged – to secure a victory over the entire ninety minutes.”
As the highly anticipated clash approaches, Pochettino emphasized Tottenham’s determination to compete and reiterated his respect for Chelsea.
“While there’s sentimental value in returning to a former club, our primary goal is to secure a win. It’s a challenging yet exciting prospect,” he concluded.
