AliousChelsea are gearing up for a crucial London derby against West Ham United at the London Stadium this Saturday, hoping to build on their recent Premier League success. The Blues are looking to maintain momentum after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth last weekend, which followed a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace before the international break.
Under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have made a solid start to the 2024-25 campaign, currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table with seven points from their opening four fixtures. This early-season form has given fans reason for optimism as the team aims to re-establish itself among the league’s elite.
As the match approaches, Sports Mole has compiled a comprehensive injury and suspension update for Chelsea. Their opponents, West Ham, find themselves in 14th place, having accumulated four points from their first four matches, setting the stage for an intriguing contest between two teams with differing early-season fortunes.
On the injury front, Chelsea continue to navigate several concerns:
Reece James, the club captain, remains sidelined with a persistent hamstring issue. Despite his active involvement in pre-season friendlies, James suffered another setback just before the season kicked off. The club has yet to provide a specific return date, leaving fans anxious about the duration of his absence.
There’s more positive news regarding Romeo Lavia. The midfielder, who has been nursing a hamstring problem, was on the verge of featuring against Bournemouth last weekend. There’s growing optimism that Lavia could make his return to action in the clash with West Ham, potentially providing a boost to Chelsea’s midfield options.
Malo Gusto, who missed the Bournemouth match due to a thigh injury, has shown encouraging signs this week. The defender has rejoined training sessions, and barring any last-minute setbacks, is expected to be available for selection against the Hammers.
Enzo Fernandez’s absence from the Bournemouth game was due to illness rather than injury. The Argentine midfielder has since resumed training with the squad and should be in contention for a starting berth in the upcoming London derby.
Similarly, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was another player sidelined by illness for the Bournemouth fixture. However, the 26-year-old midfielder has recovered and is anticipated to be part of the squad facing West Ham.
These injury updates provide a mixed picture for Chelsea as they prepare for a challenging away fixture. The potential returns of Lavia, Gusto, Fernandez, and Dewsbury-Hall could significantly bolster Maresca’s options, while James’ continued absence remains a concern for the Blues’ defensive stability and attacking threat from the right flank.
As Chelsea aim to climb higher in the table, the management of these injury situations and the successful integration of returning players could prove crucial in their pursuit of consistency and improved performances in the Premier League.
Alious
