We’re all in total suspense of Chelsea’s injury situations.
So many players got hurt on duty with their country, and their statuses are all pretty unclear, so we’re itching to get to Frank Lampard’s press conference on Friday to find out what’s what.
This Tweet today from Simon Johnson reported that midfielder N’Golo Kante is “doubtful” for the weekend, and just now he’s added that Reece James is “fine”.
#Christensen has had a scan on a hamstring injury and is unlikely to feature. #Kante is doubtful too – has minor groin problem. #Kovacic suffered minor leg injury playing for Croatia but hope is he will be okay. #Emerson set to return for #cfc against Ajax next week.
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) October 16, 2019
And forgot to mention that Reece James is fine for the weekend…#cfc https://t.co/5pDeWcDx5C
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) October 16, 2019
Those two snippets of information, added together, could be significant. If Kante’s missing from the midfield, Frank might be tempted to return to system with just two central midfielders (probably Jorginho and Ross Barkley, or Mateo Kovacic if he’s fit), Reece James able to play at right wing back and Cesar Azpilicueta slide into a back 3.
It works perfectly, if Frank thinks it’s the right move against a defensive Newcastle team. It would certainly give James and Marcos Alonso the chance to get high up the pitch and attack, with Mason Mount cutting in from the left wing allowing Alonso to overlap.
It sounds like a plan to us…
