Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Trevoh Chalobah will miss Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Southampton, adding to the club’s defensive woes.
The centre-back sustained an injury during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday night, with an expected recovery time of around ten days.
Chalobah’s absence compounds a growing injury crisis at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are already without key defenders Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana, leaving Maresca with limited options at the back.
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The Blues had recalled Chalobah from his loan at Crystal Palace last month to bolster their defense, but his setback leaves the squad stretched thin.
Neither Fofana nor Badiashile is expected back until after next month’s international break, meaning Chelsea will need to improvise in the heart of defense.
While Chalobah’s injury is less severe, ruling him out for the Southampton match and likely for the first leg of Chelsea’s Conference League last-16 tie against Copenhagen, it still presents a selection headache for Maresca.
“He had a check yesterday, and it will be around one week or ten days,” Maresca revealed.
“It’s good because it’s not an important injury, but it’s a shame because we lose another player at this moment when we have a lot of injuries.”
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen Retains Maresca’s Faith
Alongside defensive issues, Chelsea are also dealing with uncertainty between the posts. Young goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who was at fault for Aston Villa’s late winner on Saturday, is set to keep his place in the starting lineup.
Jorgensen misjudged Marco Asensio’s tame 89th-minute effort, which slipped through him to hand Villa victory.
The error came after Maresca had promoted the young shot-stopper earlier this month, following a series of blunders by Robert Sanchez.
Despite mounting pressure, Maresca stood by his decision:
“If we have to change players every time they make a mistake, then we’ll need to change every game,” Maresca stated firmly. “But no, nothing’s changed.”
Defensive Solutions for Chelsea
With a defensive crisis looming, Maresca may need to explore creative solutions. The Italian manager could turn to younger talents or adapt his tactical approach to mitigate the shortage of experienced centre-backs.
Chelsea fans will hope the team can rally through this challenging period, with crucial fixtures both domestically and in Europe on the horizon.
Chelsea’s injury troubles are threatening to derail their season, with defensive stability a growing concern for Maresca.
The upcoming clash against Southampton will test the Blues’ resilience as they navigate this turbulent period. With Chalobah, Fofana, and Badiashile all sidelined, Chelsea must find a way to adapt, ensuring their push for success remains on track.
