Chelsea injury update: Palmer, Gusto and Chilwell latest return dates (2024)

Chelsea’s season has hit a new low after a humbling and humiliating derby defeat to Arsenal.

Five goals shipped is their worst ever result to the Gunners, and the writing was on the wall from the opening minutes after young defender Alfie Gilchrist was turned inside out for the first.

Gilchrist was handed a first start at right-back due to the Blues’ ever-present injury concerns, with both Malo Gusto and Reece James sidelined. Ben Chilwell was also missing from defence and star man Cole Palmer as ruled out through illness.

The Blues talisman was forced to sit out Tuesday’s trip to the Emirates due to an illness in a huge blow.

Pochettino expected the absence ahead of the game, telling reporters: "We will see [Tuesday] morning. Today, I don't believe he can be involved.

“Even if he is good [on Tuesday] maybe he is not in a condition to play. We hope he can recover from this situation and be involved with the team."

The illness is not expected to keep Palmer sidelined for much longer.

Potential return date: Saturday, April 27, 2024 vs Aston Villa

Right-back Gusto faces a spell on the sidelined after damaging a ligament in one of his knee, Pochettino confirmed on Monday. The manager tried to allay fears of an extended absence by initially describing it as a “minor” issue, but then added: I am not a doctor but I try to translate what is going on.

“Malo suffered a problem with a ligament in his knee, we hope it’s not a big issue.

Potential return date: Unknown

Left-back Chilwell managed short cameos off the bench in the win over Everton and defeat to Manchester City after picking up a knee injury in March, but also missed the game at Arsenal.

Pochettino did not go as far as saying the player has suffered a setback but did confirm it was the same issue.

He told reporters: “Chilly has the same problem he has suffered in the last few weeks after being with the national team.’Potential return date: May 2024

Nkunku is another much-heralded summer signing who’s missed most of the season. He went down with a knee injury in pre-season that kept him out till November. He played four games in December, before missing more time with a hip injury.

Nkunku was able to stay fit during February and played in the Carabao Cup final, but went down with a hamstring injury after the game. He has been out since then, and Pochettino is hopeful the forward will play a part in the final games of the season.

He told reporters last week: “It is about assessing him day by day, and in the last few days, he has [been] involved in some part of the training sessions. Now, we need to see the reaction of his body.”

Potential return date: May 2024

Sanchez has not been seen since starting the FA Cup quarter-final victory over Leicester, having picked up an injury during that game. He is back in ‘partial team training’ but not expected to displace Djordje Petrovic anytime soon.

Potential return date: May 2024

Colwill has been dealing with a toe injury since Chelsea played Crystal Palace on February 12, and has not played since Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Brentford on March 2, after he felt increased pain during the game.

Colwill has been participating in light training, and warmed up on the sideline during Chelsea’s game against Everton.

Potential return date: May 2024

James has long struggled to stay fit. He went off with a hamstring injury in the first game of the Premier League season, which kept him out for two months. He returned in late October and was able to play in Chelsea’s next eight games before reaggravating the same hamstring injury.

James chose to undergo surgery to fix the underlying problem in December. He is currently in recovery and recently returned to training on grass.

Potential return date: Unknown

Ugochukwu initially injured his hamstring early in December. He came back to play against Wolves on Christmas Eve, before reaggravating the injury. He has been ruled out since and no updates have been given on his condition.

Potential return date: Unknown

Lavia has only played once this season since joining from Southampton for £53 million last summer, coming on in the second half against Crystal Palace on December 27 after missing the first five months with an ankle injury.

Lavia sustained a thigh injury during the game, and has since been ruled out for the season.

Potential return date: Summer 2024

Fofana has been out since the summer 2023 with a torn ACL. Pochettino confirmed in early March that it was unlikely that Fofana would play this season.

Potential return date: Summer 2024

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