Chelsea have actually been relatively lucky this season so far when it comes to injuries to their first team.
The number of issues they have had pales in comparison to the magnitude of problems they were suffering under Mauricio Pochettino, where they would go into games without 11 fit first team players.
Enzo Maresca will no doubt be somewhat fearing for the fortunes of his players after a vast amount of time pulled out from some or even all of international duty over the last week.
The Blues are likely frustrated that Romeo Lavia has picked up a hamstring problem while with Belgium after they had managed his return from injury so well at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca will be keen to get a win over his old side at the weekend when they make the trip to Leicester City, and he will need his squad’s fitness to be at a top level to do so.
Jadon Sancho set to return for Chelsea vs Leicester City
One player he was missing before the international break was Jadon Sancho, who suffered from a combination of illness and injury before the season was halted.
However, the England international is expected to be back fit and ready for this weekend’s game against the recently-promoted side.
According to The Evening Standard, Sancho’s expected return date is this Saturday, as well as key man Cole Palmer.
The star man pulled out of international duty after clearly playing his last Chelsea game before the break against Arsenal.
Palmer was seen limping away from Stamford Bridge that day, after Maresca had admitted it would be a risk if he had started that game.
‘Special’ Sancho competing with Pedro Neto for Chelsea start
It remains to be seen if Sancho can force his way straight back into the starting side. In the time he has been away, Pedro Neto has staked his claim to be a regular Premier League starter.
Maresca is a big fan of the current loanee. The manager has described Sancho as ‘special’ during his time at the club.
With Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk also performing well, there is strong competition for places on the wings for Chelsea right now.
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