Chelsea advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday night after beating Wrexham 4-2 in extra time at the Racecourse Ground. Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro scored late goals to seal the win after a hard-fought contest that required 120 minutes to settle.
Wednesday brings a different challenge entirely. Chelsea travel to Paris for the Champions League last-16 first leg against Paris Saint-Germain. The stakes are significantly higher. The margin for error is significantly smaller.
Training photos released Monday ahead of the trip raised questions about squad availability for the showdown.
Training Photos Raise Injury Questions
Chelsea’s Monday session revealed photos, which showed a limited view of the squad preparing for the trip to Paris. Key players, Reece James and Estevao were not visible in the pictures that emerged from the session.
The absence of both players from the photos raised immediate concerns. But training photos do not tell the full story. Photographers get limited access to sessions. They capture portions of the work, not everything. Drawing conclusions about who trained and who did not is difficult at best.
Liam Rosenior is scheduled to hold his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. That will provide more clarity on availability for Wednesday’s PSG clash.
I didn’t’ see Reece James or Estevao in the pictures. Rosenior presser tomorrow.
Estevao’s Recovery Continues
Estevao has missed Chelsea’s recent run of matches with a hamstring injury. He picked it up in training before the 1-1 draw with Burnley and has been out ever since.
Rosenior provided an update on the 18-year-old Brazilian winger before the Wrexham match on Friday.
“Estevao is back on the pitch, but he is not quite ready for this one,” Rosenior said. “He just needs to clear a few more markers first, and we need to be careful with him given he’s had a hamstring injury. It will be a big boost to have him back with the group.”
Estevao being back on the pitch is progress. Whether he has cleared enough markers for Wednesday remains unclear. Chelsea are being cautious with hamstring injuries for good reason. Setbacks happen when players are rushed back too soon.
If Estevao is not ready for PSG, Newcastle on Saturday is the next opportunity.
Liam Rosenior provides the latest injury update from his Chelsea squad 🔵
Rosenior’s Rotation at Chelsea
Rosenior rested key players at Wrexham. Reece James stayed on the bench. Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo were not in the squad. All four should be fresh for the first leg Paris..
The decision nearly backfired. Chelsea needed extra time to get past ten-man Wrexham. They came close to being knocked out, before a Garnacho winner in extra time, and a sealer from Joao Pedro. Rosenior now has his strongest players available for the biggest match of the season.
“We are going into a period of games where, for example, Romeo Lavia can be really important because he has to play minutes,” Rosenior explained. “We have to get him to speed. Dario Essugo, we have to give him the time on the pitch. It’s not just about your first 11 or your first 12 players to get us to where we want to be. The only way that our players and our squad are going to help us to achieve what I think is possible is for them to be sharp and ready.”
Chelsea are competing on multiple fronts. Managing fitness across the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League requires planning. Rosenior has shown he will rotate even in big matches to keep his squad fresh.
Final Word for Chelsea
Tuesday’s press conference will clarify who travels to Paris and who stays behind. Rosenior will provide the answers on Estevao’s availability and confirm the status of the rest of his squad.
The PSG showdown represents Chelsea’s biggest test of the season. The Champions League last-16 first leg in Paris will set the tone for the tie. Chelsea need their best players available and firing.
Rosenior has managed his squad well through a congested fixture list. Now comes the moment where that management gets tested on the biggest stage.
Wednesday night will show whether Chelsea are ready.
Chelsea Get Worrying Injury Update Ahead of PSG Showdown