Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has provided concerning injury updates after Wednesday’s 4-2 London Derby defeat to Arsenal.
The Blues suffered their third consecutive home defeat in which they conceded 11 goals from these losses.
This is obviously a big worry for Tuchel’s side who often rely on their solid defence to win games.
Tuchel blamed costly individual mistakes, while many Chelsea fans questioned the manager’s decision to rotate the team and play several out-of-form players in such a big game.
Chelsea are now just five points ahead of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, with a game in hand.
Given the upcoming fixtures, could find themselves in an uncomfortable position in the top four race.
The next opponents are West Ham and Manchester United. West Ham, in particular, already beat Chelsea in the reverse fixture in December.
“I don’t know, actually, I don’t know,” Tuchel, who was visibly infuriated by his team’s performance, told Chelsea TV when asked about his message to the players ahead of Sunday’s West Ham clash.
“I’m very disappointed, very frustrated, I don’t know what will we do against West Ham.”
Tuchel might have shouldered some of the blame for his risky team selection, but he also did not have many options in some positions due to injuries.
Antonio Rudiger and Mateo Kovacic, for example, missed the game due to a groin and an ankle problem, respectively.
Things certainly do not get any better for Chelsea who will have to deal with the same key injuries at the weekend.
“Not good, I don’t think he will play against West Ham,” the manager said about Rudiger’s injury.
“[The same for Kovacic?] Yeah.”
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