Manager Xabi Alonso will be hoping to guide his side back to winning form following their disappointing loss to Tottenham last weekend. However, the club’s preparations have suffered another setback after Maxence Lacroix sustained a hamstring injury during their midweek EFL Cup clash against Liverpool.
The £52 million summer recruit reportedly suffered the problem while attempting to track Cody Gakpo. He was subsequently forced off, with Levi Colwill introduced as his replacement.
Chelsea will also be without Jorrel Hato, who remains short of full fitness after missing the squad for the Liverpool encounter. Emiliano Martinez is another absentee as he continues recovering from surgery following a fractured jaw. Nevertheless, Alonso has indicated that the goalkeeper could return for next week’s meeting with Sunderland.
Joao Pedro is unavailable because of a thigh injury, while Reece James is expected to remain out until early 2027 after undergoing minor knee surgery earlier this month. Jamie Gittens completes the injury list as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle problem.
With six players unavailable, Chelsea face a difficult selection challenge ahead of Saturday’s encounter. The team will need to find suitable replacements and maintain their competitiveness against Manchester United, who are also managing injury concerns ahead of the Stamford Bridge showdown.
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