Chelsea suffer massive injury blow ahead of crucial Premier League encounter

Ahead of Everton's return to the capital, Chelsea FC is expecting a flurry of good news regarding their long injury list. Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto both missed the draw against Sheffield United, when Cole Palmer was substituted in.

Positive news has started to surface, though, and Levi Colwill is reportedly close to making a comeback from his injuries. However, other players, like Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, and Reece James, will need more extended sessions in the therapy area.

With 20 minutes remaining in the Yorkshire match, Palmer was substituted due to concerns about potential injuries, especially following an aggressive tackle from Jack Robinson that resulted in a caution for the Blades player. Although Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged after the game that he had taken a knock during the Manchester United game, the real reason for his substitution was to control his weariness.

According to reports, Colwill's recuperation from the toe injury is almost complete. There are rumours that the FA Cup semi-final matchup with Manchester City has been set aside. Following the international break, left-back Chilwell suffered a knee injury that required treatment by Chelsea. He then became unwell and has been missing since. 

Which Chelsea players are about to miss the upcoming game? 

However, fresh faces have been put to this list, Fernandez, an international player for Argentina, being one of them. Due to an injury, the World Cup-winning midfielder must have a "medical assessment." Axel Disasi, a defender from France, feels the same way.

Due to injuries to Spanish custodian Robert Sanchez and England winger Raheem Sterling, Pochettino may need to make changes to his original plans. With games remaining against all of the teams above them, Chelsea enters its home matchup against Everton in ninth place in the Premier League but is only five points behind Manchester United in sixth.