Chelsea achieved their best season result so far by beating Aston Villa 3-1 at the usually impregnable Villa Park on Wednesday night but were made to pay regardless. The Blues bounced back comprehensively from consecutive defeats whilst conceding four goals, yet still found themselves damaged come full-time in the Midlands. Benoit Badiashile was forced off before the end of the game with what looked to be a hamstring strain. He has had his fair share of injury problems this term, making the call to take him off late even more worrying for fans and Mauricio Pochettino. The defender had put in his best display months after a tricky period in the backline. There will now be an anxious wait to see how he recovers from what would be a huge setback.
Moises Caicedo also looked to pick up a problem in the second half. The 22-year-old finished the game for Pochettino's side, though, indicating it may be nothing to worry about. With some extra time to prepare for the next match, a trip to Selhurst Park, Chelsea will be cautiously optimistic about turning things around again. Here, football. London has the latest from the treatment room. The Ecuadorian went down against Villa mid-way through the second half. He was treated by medical staff but returned to finish the game despite initially looking in pain.
What Pochettino said: N/A.
Expected return date: Unknown.
Benoit Badiashile
Badiashile started the FA Cup replay against Villa but had to be replaced with 10 minutes left. Alfie Gilchrist came on for him. He appeared to be holding his hamstring.
Levi Colwill
Colwill was named in the starting line-up against Aston Villa on January 26 but had to pull out during the warmup. He had strapped on his left knee before heading down the tunnel.
He was described as "beginning the reconditioning phase" in his return to fitness ahead of the replay against Villa. He wasn't included in the squad.
What Pochettino said: N/A.
Expected return date: February.
Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah has been nursing a thigh injury and has yet to feature for Chelsea this season. The defender was once a staple in the Blues' backline, but now he seems to face an uncertain future.
The club have confirmed he is "in team training for the reconditioning phase'".
What Pochettino has said: "He's really close. He's trained really well. We need permission from the medical area to be selected and be on the squad. At the moment, we don't have the permission."
Expected return date: February.
Reece James
Shortly after returning from the treatment room in November, James suffered another hamstring injury in Chelsea's clash against Everton last month. He has been out ever since, and it remains unclear when he'll return.
What Pochettino has said: "I think he feels well. We talked, and he has started his recovery; he is one day closer to being with the group. This is really positive; we are all positive around him and will help and get involved in this way.
"It is always tough for a player with a difficult season. Now is the time to start recovering. One day, less until he is part of the group, and we will take it positively because the most important thing is to start solving the problem and, of course, helping him be strong and positive.
"It is an important thing, and that is why this amazing institute that the club has to support in that case for Reece to be in his best form and recover as soon as possible."
Expected return date: Unknown.
Lesley Ugochukwu
Ugochukwu hasn't played for Chelsea since the 2-1 defeat to Wolves on Christmas Eve. He is currently following a rehabilitation programme for a hamstring injury.
What Pochettino has said: N/A.
Expected return date: Unknown.
Romeo Lavia
After finally making his debut for Chelsea against Crystal Palace just after Christmas, Lavia suffered a thigh problem. The teenage midfielder is believed to be currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme, but it remains unclear when he'll be in a position to return.
What Pochettino has said: "He feels something, some issue. We need to check and hope it's not [bad]. I'm worried. I don't know because if you were watching the game [against Crystal Palace], you would not appreciate I was changing the position with Lavia at the end because he was struggling to run. We will see what is going on.
"Hopefully, it is not a big issue, and he can play with us again. Important player that will recover, and it is going to be a shame if we cannot use him in the next few games."
Expected return rate: Unknown.
Robert Sanchez
In Chelsea's defeat to Manchester United last month, Sanchez suffered a knee injury, but he was passed fit to feature against the Toffees. After aggravating his knock during the second half at Goodison Park, the Spaniard was replaced by Djordje Petrovic, who hasn't put a foot wrong since coming into the side.
Pochettino said: "It is an injury that's going to be for a few weeks, I don't know if two, three, four, five or six. We will assess it day by day to know how to follow it. His recovery will depend on him and the reaction of his knee, and it is difficult to say in two or three weeks, but we hope [he is back] as soon as possible."
Expected return date: February.
Marc Cucurella
Cucurella hasn't featured for Chelsea since the Blues' trip to Goodison Park in December after picking up an ankle injury. The defender later confirmed on social media that he had undergone surgery on the issue. Now, he's undergoing a rehabilitation programme.
What Pochettino has said: N/A.
Expected return date: March.
Wesley Fofana
Fofana is set to miss most of the season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season training. Despite this, he's returned to training on the pitches at Cobham.
What Pochettino has said: "Fofana maybe needs more time."
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Chelsea achieved their best season result so far by beating Aston Villa 3-1 at the usually impregnable Villa Park on Wednesday night but were made to pay regardless. The Blues bounced back comprehensively from consecutive defeats whilst conceding four goals, yet still found themselves damaged come full-time in the Midlands. Benoit Badiashile was forced off before the end of the game with what looked to be a hamstring strain. He has had his fair share of injury problems this term, making the call to take him off late even more worrying for fans and Mauricio Pochettino. The defender had put in his best display months after a tricky period in the backline. There will now be an anxious wait to see how he recovers from what would be a huge setback.
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