It's been a busy time for Chelsea again. With all the focus on events off the pitch, Thomas Tuchel's side reacted positively with a dramatic home win over Newcastle. The Chelsea boss will be hoping to follow that up with a win away to Lille in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie. They are currently 2-0 up on Lille after their first leg tie at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping to book their slot in the quarter-finals today.
Tuchel's squad has been stretched thin over the winter, with Covid-19 issues only adding to the problems. The German will be hopeful that the latest round of selection concerns will only be short-term.
Here's Chelsea's updated injury list confirmed heading into the match.
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Chelsea injury update
Cesar Azpilicueta
- Injury: Illness
- Out since: Mar 10
The Spanish defender returned to the team for the win against Norwich, but he only played the first half, before coming off at halftime.
After the game, Thomas Tuchel explained, "Azpi did not feel well. A bit of a stomach problem and pain so we decided to take him out. He did not feel good."
Azpilicueta only recently returned from an injury sustained in the league cup final and was not in the squad for the victory against Newcastle last week.
He has now recovered and could start for the Blues in northern France against Lille.
Reece James & Callum Hudson-Odoi
- Injury: Muscle problem / Achilles Tendon
- Out since: Mar. 5 / Mar. 3
James recently returned from a lengthy spell out, but he is now injured again after suffering a muscle problem in his other leg.
The Englishman was not available for selection against Newcastle, however, did return to training in the build-up to the trip to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Hudson-Odoi on the other hand has been suffering from Achilles' issues in recent times, not appearing for the Blues since their FA Cup win over Luton on Mar. 2.
Both have been left out of Chelsea's 22-man matchday squad and will not feature against Lille.
Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi left out of Chelsea's squad travelling to Lille. Harvey Vale comes in though. #CFC #UCL https://t.co/JkqkSVBTok
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) March 15, 2022
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Marcos Alonso
- Injury: COVID-19
- Out since: Early March
Marcos Alonso was on the bench last weekend against Newcastle, not featuring at Stamford Bridge as his side went on to record a late victory.
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that the left-back has fully recovered from COVID-19 and is in contention to start away to the French champions.
Thomas Tuchel says Alonso and Azpi are ready for Lille but was a bit tentative when speaking about James and Callum. Added they will have training after presser and see how they feel.#CFC
— Rahman osman (@iamrahmanosman) March 15, 2022
Ben Chilwell
- Injury: Partial right ACL injury
- Out since: Nov. 23
A long-term absentee, Ben Chilwell's last appearance for Chelsea came against Juventus almost two months ago. The left-back is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery following a knee ligament injury.
Chilwell was involved in outdoors individual training recently, but Tuchel stressed that he is a long way from being able to start playing again.
Tuchel said: ‘Chilly was back out on the grass training and I think the one minute he was out on the grass they took a photo of him!
‘The weather made it possible he could do the exercise outside and it was good to see, but he still has a long way to go.
‘They made him smell the grass and get a bit excited, but nothing close to football or team training. There isn’t any chance he will be back before the end of the season.’