Chelsea lost nearly half of the squad

Anh Chi spent nearly 500 million USD for the 2023 summer transfer window, but Chelsea only has 15 players ready to play against Bournemouth in round 5 of the Premier League.

This summer, Chelsea have 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 spends the most money in the last three transfer windows.

However, in a press conference before the away match against Bournemouth, coach Pochettino revealed that Chelsea had 11 injuries and only about 14 or 15 players could play. The Argentine coach even considered the absence from the European arena as a positive thing for Chelsea at the moment.

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

"Given the current situation, I think it's good for Chelsea not to be in Europe," he said. "I think the important thing now is that we can recover and be more competitive. Of course, with Chelsea's history we need to be in Europe, but that's not in my hands at the moment, that's the reality. We'll definitely try to be 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 is Lavia, who joined Chelsea from Southampton for $63 million. Pochettino said the 19-year-old Belgian midfielder twisted his ankle in training and is awaiting medical assessment. Meanwhile, captain and defender Reece James, who was injured in the opening game against Liverpool, is set to return, while Enzo Fernandez is fit despite playing with Argentina in the 2022 World Cup South American qualifiers in Bolivia, which is more than 3,000 metres above sea level.

Chelsea are currently 12th with four points from a 0-0 draw with Liverpool and a 3-0 win over newcomers Luton Town. They also lost 3-1 at West Ham and 1-0 at home to Nottingham Forest.

Hong Duy

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