Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Estevao and Liam Delap are back in contention in an injury update ahead of Saturday’s clash against Aston Villa.
Estevao and Delap Fit for Aston Villa Clash
Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Chelsea attacking duo Estevao and Liam Delap are available for the Blues’ Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday evening.
Delap has been out with a shoulder injury suffered against Bournemouth in early December, while Estevao has missed the west London side’s last two matches due to a muscular concern.
The pair are now set to return for Villa’s visit to Stamford Bridge at the weekend, as revealed by Blues boss Maresca in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday morning.
“We didn’t know exactly how long Liam [Delap] would be out for but he’s available for Saturday, he’s available also Estêvão, so very happy for both,” Maresca said.
Meanwhile, Cole Palmer’s minutes have been managed since returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with groin and foot injuries, but he is now fit to feature for 90 minutes if needed.
“I think he’s ready for 90 minutes,” Maresca said.
“The progression for a player is 45, one hour, 70. He already played one hour against Everton. He played more than 70 against Newcastle. I think the progression is there.”
Palmer scored his first goal since September in the 2-0 win over Everton last week.
Chelsea Injury Update: Lavia Remains Out
Elsewhere, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo and Mykhailo Mudryk remain out.
Colwill is ruled out for the foreseeable future after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during pre-season training back in August. His potential return date is set for June.
As for Lavia and Essugo, they are both out of action with thigh injuries.
The former has been sidelined since the Blues’ Champions League trip to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag in early November, while the latter hasn’t featured in a matchday squad since August.
Speaking on Lavia’s situation in early December, Maresca said: “It’s a muscle problem. We don’t know yet when he can be back. We don’t know [if it will be long or short-term].”
He also confirmed that Essugo has been slowly eased back into Chelsea training.
Finally, Mudryk is still ineligible to feature after being charged by the FA with a doping offence. It is currently unknown if and when the Ukrainian will be able to return for the Blues.
Additionally, Mudryk was handed another ban earlier this month, this time for driving offences. He has been slapped with a 12-month driving ban after driving whilst disqualified.
Chelsea head into the weekend occupying fourth place in the Premier League table, seven points behind the Villans, who are up in third after winning seven consecutive league matches.
The Blues, meanwhile, have won just one of their last five in the league.
It comes amid tensions emerging between Maresca and the club’s board. Many have suggested that this could lead to his departure from Stamford Bridge in the near future.
Should he leave, Xavi is favoured to replace him in the next Chelsea manager odds market.
