Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard will be without eight players for their clash with Manchester City this weekend.
The Blues face the rampant City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. A victory for the home side will see them clinch the Premier League title.
Chelsea are without left-backs Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell, while Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Reece James and Kalidou Koulibaly are also out.
Benoit Badiashile has also joined the treatment room. The young Frenchman is out of action with a groin injury and it is unclear whether he will play again this season.
However, there was some positive news as Koulibaly is back in training. The Senegalese international will miss the game on Sunday but could return for subsequent matches.
Lampard said (via Chelsea’s official website): “Injury-wise, we’re pretty much similar to where we have been recently – in terms of Mason, Reece, Chilly, N’Golo and Marc Cucurella are not fit.
“Koulibaly has been training with us over the last week but is probably not really ready for a game like this, but he is ahead of schedule to be fair.
“Benoit injured himself in training two days ago, his groin, and will miss the game. We’re assessing that now as we speak.”
Chelsea face a Man City side that has not lost any of their last 26 games. The Cityzens are gunning for the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
Spearheading that charge is City striker Erling Braut Haaland. The Norwegian striker leads the Premier League and Champions League scoring charts.
Lampard was full of praise for Haaland and his achievements. He said the 22-year-old Premier League player of the season nominee can make things happen.
He also disclosed that he tried to get Chelsea to sign him, but not everyone at the club was on board.
