MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 00:57:43| >> :60:3498:3498:
[monks data]
Attendance: 25,781
Crystal Palace logo
Premier League | Gameweek 20
Dec 30, 2018 at 12pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Kante (51')

Sarri says injury-hit Chelsea are 'in trouble' ahead of hectic fixture schedule

Sarri says injury-hit Chelsea are 'in trouble' ahead of hectic fixture schedule
© Reuters
The Blues won 1-0 at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Maurizio Sarri says his Chelsea side are "in trouble" due to mounting injuries amid a hectic fixture schedule.

The Blues won 1-0 at Crystal Palace on Sunday and face Southampton on Wednesday in their first of seven games in January.

Sarri, though, has a paucity of options as striker Olivier Giroud suffered an ankle injury, adding to injuries for Cesc Fabregas (neck), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (back), Pedro (hamstring) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (hamstring).

Chelsea's Olivier Giroud suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's win at Crystal Palace
Chelsea's Olivier Giroud suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's win at Crystal Palace (John Walton/PA)

"We are in trouble because, in January, we have to play every three days," Sarri said.

"Fabregas' is a neck problem. The injury was in the last five minutes of training, so I'm not sure whether he has to rest for two or 10 days."

Sarri was waiting to learn the full extent of Giroud's injury, which could alter Chelsea's January plans.

Alvaro Morata has been linked with a loan move to AC Milan, with Gonzalo Higuain moving in the opposite direction.

Higuain, who played under Sarri at Napoli, is currently on loan at AC Milan from Juventus.

There could also be implications for Eden Hazard, who had been deployed as a 'false nine' in four straight league games and could be required to play there once again.

N'Golo Kante's goal six minutes into the second half proved decisive at Palace and, not for the first time, Sarri bemoaned his side's lack of cutting edge.

Sarri added: "For 85 minutes we were in full control without conceding anything to the opponents. I didn't like only that we weren't able to kill off the match before."

Palace boss Roy Hodgson is aiming to give his side more of a goal threat by recruiting Dominic Solanke on loan from Liverpool.

Dominic Solanke is expected to move to Crystal Palace on loan from Liverpool
Dominic Solanke is expected to move to Crystal Palace on loan from Liverpool (Mike Egerton/PA)

"It's no secret he's a target," said Hodgson, whose side play Wolves on Wednesday.

"What would he do? Provide an attacking threat. He's a proven goalscorer through all the age groups at (former club) Chelsea and England.

"If he comes here, it'll be up to him to show he can do that in Premier League football.

"He's someone with the profile we're looking for, and the ability we are looking for."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Matt McGeehan, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'a774b6ad-c4de-4aef-8964-9bee4c99eaa4');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Sarri says injury-hit Chelsea are \u2018in trouble\u2019 ahead of hectic fixture schedule'});

ID:345560: cacheID:345560:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7758:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Davide Zappacosta in action for Chelsea in the FA Cup on January 28, 2018
Read Next:
Lazio 'eye move for Davide Zappacosta'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!