Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged the potential absence of both Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi for Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Everton on Monday.
The latest injury report from the Blues, unveiled on Friday, revealed concerns for 11 first-team players, with Fernandez and Disasi currently “undergoing medical assessment” following issues encountered in the 2-2 draw against Sheffield United.
When questioned about their availability for the Everton fixture, Pochettino disclosed that Fernandez and Disasi require further evaluation before any decisions can be made regarding their participation.
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“We will see,” Pochettino remarked. “They are under assessment. They have different types of issues. We don’t believe they are major issues, but we’ll assess their availability.
“At present, they haven’t trained since Sheffield [United]. We’re uncertain if they can be involved on Monday.”
Joining the sidelined players are Robert Sanchez, Raheem Sterling, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, and Lesley Ugochukwu, with left-back Ben Chilwell only engaging in partial training as he progresses in his recovery from injury.
“Chilly is participating in partial training today with the team, and we’ll determine if he can be included in the squad or on the bench for Monday,” Pochettino added. “It’s positive news, but it’s true that he hasn’t featured much this season.”
With Chelsea facing mounting injury challenges, Pochettino acknowledged the possibility of turning to the club’s academy for reinforcements against Everton.
“I believe they are close. We, the coaching staff, are working closely with the academy,” he explained. “Given the circumstances, we regularly invite young players from the academy to train with us.
“This presents a great opportunity for them to demonstrate their quality. Considering the circumstances, it’s realistic. Chelsea boasts one of the finest academies, not only in England but globally, and it’s our duty to nurture these talents.
“Due to our current situation, some of these players may have the chance to feature in the squad for Monday. They’ve been training with us, youngsters aged 16 to 19, participating regularly and demonstrating consistency. This experience is invaluable for their development and integration with the senior squad.”