Chelsea are missing almost half their squad.

Despite spending nearly $500 million in the 2023 summer transfer window, Chelsea only have 15 players available to play against Bournemouth in the fifth round of the Premier League.

This summer, Chelsea signed Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Angelo Gabriel, Lesley Ugochukwu, Axel Disasi, Robert Sanchez, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Deivid Washington, Dorde Petrovic, and Cole Palmer. They continue to be the team that has spent the most money in the last three transfer windows.

However, in a press conference ahead of the away match against Bournemouth, manager Pochettino revealed that Chelsea had 11 injured players and only about 14 or 15 were available to play. The Argentinian manager even considered the absence from European competition a positive thing for Chelsea at this time.

Pochettino at the press conference before the Bournemouth match. Photo: AFP

"Given the current circumstances, I think not participating in European competitions is a good thing for Chelsea," he said. "I think the important thing now is that we can recover and become more competitive. Of course, given Chelsea's history, we need to be in European competition, but that's not within my reach right now, that's the reality. We will certainly try to get back next season."

Chelsea's injury list currently includes Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Marcus Bettinelli, Carney Chukwuemeka, Armando Broja, Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana and Malang Sarr.

The latest injury concerns Lavia, who joined Chelsea from Southampton for $63 million. Pochettino said the 19-year-old Belgian midfielder sprained his ankle in training and is awaiting medical evaluation. However, captain and defender Reece James, who suffered an injury in the opening match against Liverpool, is set to return, while Enzo Fernandez is still available despite having just played with Argentina in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Bolivia – a location over 3,000 meters above sea level.

Chelsea currently sit 12th with four points from a 0-0 draw against Liverpool and a 3-0 win against newly promoted Luton Town. Their other losses included a 1-3 defeat away to West Ham and a 0-1 loss at Stamford Bridge against Nottingham Forest.

Hong Duy

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