Mauricio Pochettino has given an update on Chelsea’s team news for the clash against Bournemouth on Saturday, including the latest on Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Benoit Badiashile and more
Enzo Fernandez in action for Chelsea (Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
Fernandez has revealed that Enzo Fernandez is expected to feature for Mauricio Pochettino against Bournemouth despite his midweek exertions at altitude for Argentina. But Moises Caicedo is less certain of starting.
Caicedo was in action for his country against Bolivia in La Paz, at an altitude of nearly 12,000ft above sea level. Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister posted a photo ahead of the game using an oxygen tube to help with the physical demands associated with the location. However, Pochettino says that Fernandez, who scored in the game, is in good spirits and is expected to feature in the clash at the Vitality Stadium.
“We saw them today and he is in a good mood,” he told reporters. “He scored against Bolivia, I think he will be ready.”
While the news on Caicedo seemed less promising from the Chelsea boss, Pochettino is hopeful that the 25-year-old will be able to feature on Saturday. The midfielder’s Ecuador team faced Enzo’s Argentina at the weekend before a clash against Uruguay on Tuesday.
“Moises is a bit later than Enzo,” he added. “So we will need to assess him but we hope so [he’s ready].”
Meanwhile, Pochettino admitted there was big disappointment following the injury blow in midfield to Romeo Lavia. The young star recruited from Southampton this summer is yet to make his debut for the club, and picked up an injury in training that could rule him out for some weeks yet.
Pochettino stated: “I think we are really disappointed because he was training really well. He twisted his ankle and now we are waiting for Monday to get the assessment from the doctor. We don’t know [the timeframe] because we need to assess him.”
Chelsea will also be without Armando Broja and Benoit Badiashile for the game against Bournemouth. There were suggestions from the Albanian FA that Broja would be available for selection this week, with FA president Armando Duka stating: “Armando Broja has completed the recovery phase. We expect him to be on the bench with Chelsea this week, that is, ready to return to the field.”
However, Pochettino stated that the striker is not ready yet to return to action. And he also added that Badiashile is similarly unable to play a part.
“Who is the Albanian FA? The coach? The president? I didn’t hear,” Pochettino said. “Not yet. Not yet. Badiashile is the same situation.”
Soucre: football.london
