Chelsea have been stepping up their preparations for their Premier League game away at Aston Villa this weekend.
The Blues are in desperate need of points as they head to the Midlands for the Saturday evening kick-off against Unai Emery‘s side. With just two wins from their last nine top-flight matches, all of the sudden Chelsea are starting to lose ground in the race to finish in the top four this season – making Saturday’s trip even more significant.
However, Noni Madueke is a massive doubt for the match after he limped off during Friday evening’s defeat at Brighton. The 22-year-old winger hurt his hamstring in the first-half and was replaced by Jadon Sancho. Madueke was not spotted in any of the training pictures released by the club on Tuesday afternoon – meaning it looks as if the injury is as bad as Enzo Maresca initially feared, where the head coach admitted the winger could be missing “for a while” not long after the full-time whistle down at the Amex Stadium.
Also not spotted in the pictures released by the club were Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia, who are all long-term absentees for the Blues. Maresca spoke about the trio last week and confirmed they are making progress in their respective recoveries from injury.
“Romeo Lavia is in the process to be back with us. Benoit Badiashile exactly the same and Wes Fofana started to work with us two days ago – that means he will need two or three weeks to be 100% fit but at least he has started to work with us.”
Pressed on when Lavia would be able to play, Maresca replied: “Could be again – more or less like Nico – after the international break.”
Aaron Anselmino and Mathis Amougou were both pictured taking part in training at Chelsea‘s base in Cobham on Tuesday afternoon. Anselmino was recalled from his loan spell at Boca Juniors last month and has been named on the bench for the last two matches – both away at Brighton – but is yet to make his senior debut for the Blues.
The 19-year-old defender, however, did feature for the Development Squad at the weekend as the Chelsea youngsters dispatched Liverpool 3-0 on Merseyside. Anselmino started alongside Josh Acheampong at the heart of the Blues’ defence and lasted 61 minutes before being replaced.
Amougou, meanwhile, is still waiting for his Chelsea debut. The 19-year-old midfielder was signed from Saint-Etienne towards the end of the January transfer window and while being named on the bench in the last two matches, he is yet to kick a ball competitively for the west Londoners.
Tyrique George was among those that trained at Chelsea’s home in Surrey on Tuesday. The 19-year-old winger did not take part for the Development Squad on Sunday after he made a cameo appearance against Brighton on Friday night for the senior side.
Chelsea players spotted in training pictures: Reece James, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Moises Caicedo, Aaron Anselmino, Enzo Fernandez, Tosin Adarabioyo, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Tyrique George, Jadon Sancho, Mathis Amougou.
