Thiago Silva has been ruled out of Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Thiago Silva and Carney Chukwuemeka will play no part against Manchester City, but Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill and Robert Sanchez are all available to face the champions.
Silva was forced off just after the hour-mark in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Monday night, with Colwill coming on in the Brazilian’s place at Selhurst Park.
The veteran defender is understood to have picked up a groin injury and Pochettino will no doubt be sweating over his fitness ahead of such an important period for the Blues, with the Carabao Cup final just over a week away.
Silva’s replacement at Palace, Colwill, was also seen hobbling in the dying moments of the match and it appeared the young Englishman may have suffered a recurrence of a niggle that kept him out of Chelsea’s previous three games.
However, Colwill has shaken off the injury scare and could feature at the Etihad alongside right-back Gusto, who was struggling with fatigue against Palace and had to be substituted in the 84th minute.
Asked for an update on Silva’s fitness on Friday, Pochettino told reporters: ‘He’s out for tomorrow. He’s not available.
Pressed on whether Silva would just miss this weekend’s match, the Argentine replied: ‘We need to assess him day by day.’
The Brazilian centre-back sustained a groin injury at Selhurst Park (Picture: Getty)
On Colwill and Gusto, the Chelsea head coach explained: ‘Yes, they are okay. They recovered well and they are available for tomorrow, yes.
‘Robert Sanchez is available too. It’s good news.
‘Carney Chukwuemeka twisted his ankle two days ago. He suffered a twist in his ankle and he’s out.’
Chelsea ‘keeper Sanchez has been out with a knee injury (Picture: Getty)
While Sanchez has been sidelined for over a month with a knee problem, it appears the Spain goalkeeper could come straight back into Pochettino’s starting against City.
On Sanchez’s return to the fold, Pochettino added: ‘Yes, obviously to recover a player who we know was playing a lot.
‘To be available again is good for the team.’
Pochettino refused to confirm whether or not Sanchez would go straight back into his XI, responding: ‘You will see.’
Palmer has nothing to prove, according to the Chelsea manager (Picture: Getty)
Cole Palmer will no doubt be desperate to make an impression against his former club, but Pochettino insists the England forward – a £40million summer signing from Manchester City – has nothing to prove after such a strong start to the campaign.
‘He’s not the kind of player that needs to prove anything,’ Pochettino said.
‘I think he’s very grateful with his period at Manchester City and he left the club because he wanted to find another challenge or find the capacity to play more.
‘He’s lucky because he’s playing a lot of games here. I think he’s going to be there, trying to play, and perform for him and his team.’
Guardiola’s Manchester City sit two points behind leaders Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
Asked whether Pep Guardiola may regret selling Palmer, Pochettino replied: ‘That is a question for him.
‘Look, for me, Manchester City have an amazing squad, they have a lot of players.
‘Sometimes we make some decisions that always we think is the best for the team. That doesn’t mean it’s a good or not so good player.
‘It’s sometimes about the the period or the circumstances didn’t match.
‘Players want to leave and you cannot stop because you can’t provide the game-time.
‘It’s unfair to say that they’re going to regret it because Manchester City is doing really well, they’re one of the best teams in the world and it’s not easy to find the space for a young guy.’
The Blues, languishing down in 10 place in the Premier League, could rise to as high as seventh in the table should results go their way this weekend.
Pochettino’s men will take encouragement from their recent form after seeing off Aston Villa in the FA Cup and beating London rivals Palace away from home.
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