Thomas Tuchel issues update on Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell amid injury woes
Chelsea struggle for form
Only a last-minute soft penalty against Leeds United gave Chelsea their first win in three games, and their 2nd in 5, as the side previously top of the league have hit something of a dip in form.
Draws against Manchester United and Zenit Saint Petersburg have been compounded by a freak defeat to West Ham United, in a string of below-par performances for Thomas Tuchel’s injury-hit side.
However, there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel.
Chilwell set to return soon?
Ben Chilwell, previously thought to be out for the season after sustaining an ACL injury last month, could be set to return. However, the injury is seemingly not as severe as first thought, and Nizaar Kinsella of Goal.com revealed that he did some light fitness work on Tuesday afternoon.
Kante and Chalobah returned to training today, having been in yesterday doing physical work when most of the squad were off.
Chilwell has also stepped up his recovery and done some light fitness work on grass. This is ahead of a targeted return in early to mid-January. #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 14, 2021
Now, speaking to the media ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Everton at Stamford Bridge, Thomas Tuchel corroborated those claims, revealing that:
“He did some running. Everything looks good, so hopes are still up. But we cannot confirm it. [his return]”
Thomas Tuchel on Ben Chilwell’s return to the Cobham grass on Tuesday: “He did some running. Everything looks good, so hopes are still up. But we cannot confirm it.” #CFC
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) December 15, 2021
This will come as a massive boost to Thomas Tuchel and co, who have only Marcos Alonso as a recognised left-back at present, and have struggled in the absence of Chilwell. His return could well coincide with an upturn in the Pensioner’s form, and allow them to challenge on all fronts once again come the end of the campaign.
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Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester City | 17 | 31 | 41 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 16 | 33 | 37 |
| 3 | Chelsea FC | 16 | 27 | 36 |
| 4 | West Ham United | 16 | 9 | 28 |
| 5 | Manchester United | 16 | 2 | 27 |
| 6 | Arsenal FC | 16 | -1 | 26 |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur | 14 | -1 | 25 |
| 8 | Leicester City | 16 | 0 | 22 |
| 9 | Aston Villa | 17 | -2 | 22 |
| 10 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 16 | -2 | 21 |
| 11 | Brentford FC | 16 | -1 | 20 |
| 12 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 15 | -2 | 20 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 16 | 0 | 19 |
| 14 | Everton FC | 16 | -8 | 18 |
| 15 | Southampton FC | 16 | -10 | 16 |
| 16 | Leeds United | 17 | -15 | 16 |
| 17 | Watford FC | 16 | -10 | 13 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 15 | -7 | 11 |
| 19 | Newcastle United | 16 | -17 | 10 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 17 | -26 | 10 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 14 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 9 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 7 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 7 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 7 |
| Silva, Bernardo | Manchester City | 7 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 7 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 6 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 6 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 6 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 6 |
| Smith-Rowe, Emile | Arsenal FC | 6 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United | 6 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 6 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 5 |
| King, Joshua | Watford FC | 5 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 5 |
| Zaha, Wilfried | Crystal Palace | 5 |
| Watkins, Ollie | Aston Villa | 5 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 6 |
| Neves, Ruben | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 6 |
| Laporte, Aymeric | Manchester City | 1 | 5 |
| Salisu, Mohammed | Southampton FC | 0 | 6 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 1 | 4 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 1 | 4 |
| Canos, Sergi | Brentford FC | 0 | 5 |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Ritchie, Matt | Newcastle United | 0 | 5 |
| Westwood, Ashley | Burnley FC | 0 | 5 |
| Cancelo, Joao | Manchester City | 0 | 5 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 5 |
| Duffy, Shane | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 5 |
| Lascelles, Jamaal | Newcastle United | 0 | 5 |
| Bissouma, Yves | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 5 |
| Firpo, Junior | Leeds United | 0 | 5 |
| Ward, Joel | Crystal Palace | 0 | 5 |
| Romeu, Oriol | Southampton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Skipp, Oliver | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 5 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 0 | 3 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 7 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 7 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 6 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 5 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 4 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 4 |
| Saka, Bukayo | Arsenal FC | 4 |
| Redmond, Nathan | Southampton FC | 4 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 4 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 3 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 3 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City | 3 |
| Foden, Phil | Manchester City | 3 |
| Gundogan, Ilkay | Manchester City | 3 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 3 |
