Mauricio Pochettino has provided an update on Ben Chilwell ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Sheffield United this weekend. Chris Wilder will welcome the Blues to Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon as either side hopes to climb the Premier League table.
Chelsea head into the clash following an emphatic 4-3 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening, meanwhile, the Blades suffered a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. A late strike from Cole Palmer against the Red Devils wrapped up three crucial points, propelling the west Londoners into tenth.
The Blues are just five points behind Manchester United, who are sixth, and they also have a game in hand. As Pochettino launches a late – and ambitious – bid for Europa League qualification, Chilwell will be worth his weight in gold.
The left-back has suffered numerous injuries this season, missing some big games. He missed the clash against Burnley last weekend due to a knock, then he extended his spell on the sidelines in midweek due to an illness.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday night after Chelsea stormed past the Red Devils, Pochettino provided an update on Chilwell’s fitness. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss said: “He is still not training, Chilly. We will see tomorrow (Friday) if he is involved. For sure, we hope he can be for the next game.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Pochettino detailed the extent of Chilwell’s issue. The 51-year-old explained: “We didn’t see him until Friday (March 29); that was the last time we saw him because the doctor and medical staff removed some fluid from his knee.
“That was the situation to arrive from the national team. On Saturday, he got ill and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday [today] he was not here and at home trying to recover.”
In February, following Chelsea’s defeat to Wolves, Chilwell vented his frustration at the west London outfit’s recent results. Speaking to the club website, the Blues vice-captain said: “We can’t hide. It wasn’t good enough.
“We started well and got the goal [through Palmer] but then we conceded almost straightaway and then it just wasn’t good enough for 70 minutes or so of the game,” he said. “I think they showed that they ‘wanted it’ more than us.
“That’s not to say that we didn’t want it, but I think they just showed that bit more fight than us There’s no excuses but they seemed to win more duels, they seemed to run more than us and from when they scored the first goal, they just seemed to dominate. Like I said, there can be no excuses for this, and we need to put it right quickly.”
Chelsea showed plenty of fight in the dying embers of the Man United clash, so Pochettino will be hoping for more of the same at Bramall Lane this weekend.
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