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For this weekend’s match between Chelsea and Bournemouth, MAURICIO POCHETTINO has disclosed that he would only have “14 or 15” players to pick from.
Sunday’s matchup between the Blues and Andoni Iraola’s team will take place at the Vitality Stadium.
They have suffered a serious injury blow, though.
Armando Broja, Benoit Badiashile, and Romeo Lavia, all starters for the first team, were not present during practice on Friday.
Lavia, who transferred to the club from Southampton this summer for £58 million, hurt his ankle last week.
According to reports, he might not be available until the end of October.
After their individual injuries, Broja and Badiashile were rumored to be close to returning, but they have yet to participate in team training.
Pochettino is finding it difficult to complete his matchday roster with Christopher Nkunku still out.
The Chelsea manager stated in a statement on Friday: “Under the circumstances, of course, I think it is better for us because we have 11 or 12 injured players.
“And I believe it is evident with the squad right now. We only have 14 or 15 players, I believe. We must be able to replenish our talent pool and remain competitive, in my opinion.
Naturally, given Chelsea’s history, we must participate in European competition, but the reality is that I have no control over that right now.
“Working and attempting to play there next season is in our control right now. We will undoubtedly compete in Europe the next season.
Despite Chelsea spending over £1 billion in the previous year, Pochettino will probably have to turn to some of the club’s young stars to flesh out his team for Sunday.
