James, Sanchez, Cucurella give Pochettino more injury headache

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has disclosed setbacks in the form of injuries to Reece James, Robert Sanchez, and Marc Cucurella following the Blues’ 2-0 defeat against Everton. This exacerbates the injury crisis at Stamford Bridge, with the team now without more than 10 key players.

Captain James was the first casualty in the defeat, exiting the match in the first half with a troubling hamstring issue. Pochettino confirmed that James will undergo assessments in the coming days, expressing concern over the severity of the injury and emphasizing the loss of a “really important” player.

Goalkeeper Sanchez was also substituted in the second half after aggravating a pre-existing knee problem initially sustained at Manchester United last weekend. Shortly thereafter, Cucurella succumbed to a twisted ankle, leading to his replacement in the final 10 minutes.

Chelsea has been grappling with fitness woes in recent months, including the absence of long-term players such as Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, and Ben Chilwell. Pochettino acknowledged the challenges of managing constant injuries for his “young team,” aiming to establish consistency this season.

The extent of these latest injuries remains uncertain, and further updates are expected after the players undergo medical scans. The depleted Blues will next host Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, aiming to recover from consecutive losses in the English Premier League.