Chelsea’s injury crisis has resurfaced with a vengeance, leaving manager Enzo Maresca to face a triple nightmare scenario as key players continue to struggle with setbacks.
The 2023/24 season saw the Blues endure a staggering 43 injuries, a tally only surpassed by Manchester United’s 45. Chelsea suffered a total of 1745 days lost to injuries, with 20 players sidelined throughout the campaign. Among the most significant absences were club captain Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia. James, who suffered two separate injuries, missed 206 days, while Fofana’s ACL tear sidelined him for the entire season, resulting in a 349-day absence. Lavia, who arrived from Southampton with an injury concern, missed 282 days due to ongoing fitness issues.
The 2023/24 injury woes, which plagued former head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, raised questions about Chelsea’s training methods. Maresca, who took over in the summer, acknowledged the challenges and admitted that finding a solution was not straightforward.
“It depends on the injury. If it is a kick, it is not because of the training, it is because you are unlucky,” Maresca explained in August. “I was not here last year, so I do not know what it was like.”
However, as the season progresses, Chelsea finds themselves grappling with recurring injury issues. Lavia, who had just returned to action, forced off at half-time during Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham with a hamstring problem. This follows a similar injury to Fofana, who limped off in Chelsea’s win over Aston Villa earlier this month. James, too, is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
While the extent of Lavia’s injury is still unclear, Maresca had already been cautious with the trio, limiting their minutes on the pitch to avoid further damage. In October, Maresca explained that managing their workloads was crucial to keeping them fit.
“It is complicated when you get injury, injury, injury again. It is not easy so you are always looking for a solution,” he said. “One of the solutions is probably to try and manage him in the same way we are doing with Wes and Romeo.”
Despite Maresca’s careful approach, injuries continue to haunt Chelsea, leaving the club with a serious challenge. While critics have often mocked size of Chelsea’s squad, this is moment when their extensive player pool will face test. With the club hoping that the transfer plans of owners and sporting directors will prove effective in managing the crisis.
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