Chelsea are facing a race against time to contain a virus outbreak within their squad, with two players forced to stay home ahead of their Premier League match against Brentford. The flu-like illness has already impacted team selection for their recent games, and head coach Liam Rosenior is taking precautions to prevent further spread.
Jamie Gittens fell ill on Tuesday night, followed by Liam Delap, who was originally slated to start, being sidelined hours before their Wednesday match against Arsenal. The absence of the duo further compounded Chelsea's woes, as they were already missing key players due to injury. Cole Palmer, Reece James and Malo Gusto had all missed the game against Charlton on Saturday as a precaution, and were still not fit enough to return against Arsenal. Moises Caicedo was also out due to suspension.
The Blues suffered a 3-2 defeat against Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. Rosenior acknowledged the challenges posed by the injury and illness crisis, expressing hope that some of the sidelined players would recover in time for Saturday's Premier League match against Brentford. He stated that Palmer had a minor thigh strain and they could not afford to risk losing him for a longer period. James also suffered a knock on his hip.
Despite the setbacks, there is some positive news for Chelsea fans. Palmer and James are back in training and could feature in Saturday's match against Brentford. Rosenior is optimistic that they will be available, but a final decision will be made closer to the game.
Chelsea's medical staff are working diligently to monitor the situation and prevent further spread of the virus. Players exhibiting symptoms have been isolated from the rest of the squad to minimize the risk of infection. The club is adhering to strict hygiene protocols and taking all necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of its players and staff.
The outbreak comes at a critical time for Chelsea, as they navigate a busy fixture schedule. The Blues are determined to overcome these challenges and maintain their focus on achieving their goals for the season. The availability of Palmer and James for the Brentford match would provide a significant boost to the team's morale and chances of securing a positive result.
