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Chelsea injury update before Tottenham match

By Zaph Hutson

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Comparing Tottenham and Chelsea when it comes to injuries- it is obvious that Spurs have had it much tougher. This isn’t to say that all Chelsea players are fit enough to play on Saturday. There are at least four that are nursing an injury.

Of the four Chelsea players that are out, only two are quite seriously injured. Midfielder Marco van Ginkel is one of them and will definitely not play against Totteham. He suffered a “cruciate knee injury.” We don’t see much of van Ginkel in Chelsea blue, so this isn’t a big blow for the team.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Ethan Ampadu of Chelsea in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on September 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Ethan Ampadu of Chelsea in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on September 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

The other player who you shouldn’t see on Saturday is Ethan Ampadu. He took a big hit when his nation Wales played Denmark on the 16th of the month. After that, he didn’t travel with Wales when they faced Albania on Tuesday.

Mateo Kovacic is another Chelsea man who picked up an injury while playing for his nation. It is not definite whether we will see him in the lineup on Saturday as his condition was described as “mixed” by one reporter.

Kovacic has contributed greatly to the ‘Sarri-ball’ playing style that we have seen so far this season. He is a solid midfielder that is skilled at defense and making crucial passes to kickstart an attack. If he can’t play on Saturday, Tottenham’s chances will greatly improve.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Eden Hazard of Chelsea in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on September 26, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Eden Hazard of Chelsea in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on September 26, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

The last player that is in-doubt to face Spurs is Eden Hazard. There is no need to go into how important he is for Chelsea.

The injury seems to be due to the “wear and tear” he undergoes because of his playing style. Many times to cut off a dangerous run that Hazard makes, defenders simply slide-tackle or knock him down. While he is used to these tactics, they are taking a toll on him.

Spurs have much to prove vs Chelsea. dark. Next

Unfortunately for Spurs, Hazard is the most likely to start on Saturday. Still, Tottenham definitely has the tools to keep him in check.