It’s been a rough few weeks if you’re a Chelsea fan.
After eight matches of the new Premier League season, Chelsea have already been beaten three times.
Burnley won 3-2 at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season. The, before the last international break, Man City won 1-0 at Chelsea too.
Everyone expected Antonio Conte’s side to rebound with a win against Crystal Palace last weekend. But, in one of the shocks of the season, the Eagles deservedly beat the reigning EPL champs 2-1.
Antonio Conte hamstrung by hamstring injuries
At the same time, Chelsea have been suffering from a spate of hamstring injuries.
Alvaro Morata was forced out of the Palace game after he picked up an injury against Man City.
N’Golo Kane is also out of action after the French international pulled his hamstring during the international break for Les Bleus.
And Victor Moses made it a hat-trick of hamstring injuries at Selhurst Park. The Nigerian wingback is now set to miss at least four weeks of action.
Chelsea’s medical experts investigate
According to the Telegraph on Tuesday, Chelsea have investigated why so many hamstring injuries are happening to their players. Readers are told the following:
The workload has been taking its toll, as medical experts believe that the increased number of games the Champions League has brought this season, together with international commitments and tough training sessions, is behind the recent spate of hamstring injuries.
Conte has made no secret of the fact he fears his Chelsea squad is too small to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League this season.
Chelsea v Roma
oma have a number of key absentees of their own.
Emerson has returned to training following a cruciate ligament injury, but Wednesday’s game is likely to come too soon for the defender.
Defender Kostas Manolas was forced out the Lazio with a thigh injury. Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco has since said it’s “practically impossible” for Manolas to play against Chelsea.
Stephan El Shaarawy and Kevin Strootman both have groin problems and are expected to miss out.
Luca Pellegrini is a fitness doubt, while Patrik Schick has a hamstring injury.
Gregoire Defrel remains sidelined with a thigh injury and is targeting a return next month.
Former Manchester City duo Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov are expected to start.
