Chelsea is the most injury-prone club in the Premier League, and considering that you clicked over here, you probably already knew that. At any one time, over the course of this season and last, it feels like they always have a double digit number of players injured.
According to one study, this is costing the club £336,128 every day in sidelined players’ wages. That is due to the fact that several of their injured players are among the highest-earning footballers in the game.
Chelsea FC at AFC Bournemouth FYIs
Kickoff: Sun. Sept. 17, 2pm, Vitality Stadium, London, UK
Chelsea Preview Material: Starting XI Prediction Early Team News
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
PL Position, Form: Chelsea 12th, 4 pts, LWLD Bournemouth 16th, 2 pts, DLLD
Google Result Probability: Chelsea 56% Draw 23% Bournemouth 21%
Because, as you know, Todd Boehly doesn’t really believe in the concept of budgeting.
Blues Team News
Armando Broja could finally complete his comeback from a long-term knee injury, after he returned to training this international break. Meanwhile Reece James is moving closer towards contention for selection, but that might not happen for another week or two.
Elsewhere Trevoh Chalobah remains out with a hamstring/thigh problem, and little to nothing is known about his timeline. Benoit Badiashile has recovered from a long-term hamstring injury of his own, but he will likely be eased back into the mix.
Elsewhere Christopher Nkunku (expected return in November) Carney Chukwuemeka (potentially returning next month) and Wesley Fofana (probably out for season) are all in various stages of recovery from some kind of serious knee injury.
You have better news though surrounding Mykhailo Mudryk, who got injured while on international duty with Ukraine.
However, he was fine, and back in the mix for his country, so he’ll be fit for selection on the club level too.
Then there is Romeo Lavia, who suffered an ankle injury in training late last week. The potential timeline for return is now around six weeks, as the scan showed ligament damage.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.