A big setback for the Blues.
Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens has suffered a hamstring tear that will keep him out “long-term”.
Gittens was forced off during the Blues’ 3-2 comeback win over West Ham last Saturday.
The former Borussia Dortmund man did not feature in Chelsea’s EFL Cup semi-final defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal, and now faces an extended period on the sideline.
Chelsea without Gittens but Palmer available
Reece James and Pedro Neto are doubts for Saturday’s clash with bottom club Wolves after missing the 1-0 loss at Emirates Stadium, which sealed a 4-2 aggregate defeat.
“Jamie is more long-term,” head coach Liam Rosenior said in his pre-match press conference. “He’s got a tear in his hamstring, which is a real shame for him.
“I’ve not had the chance to work with him for long but I know about his career and what an outstanding player he is, so it’s a big loss. It’s too early to say how long he will be out for right now.”
Rosenior confirmed Cole Palmer will be available as Chelsea continue to manage him amid a disappointing season heavily impacted by injuries.
Asked when Palmer would be back to “normal” and about frustration regarding his fitness, Rosenior replied: “Another hypothetical question. We have the best medical team in the world and the best sports science team in the world and we want to make sure the players can play to the level needed to help us win.
“There isn’t a time frame – that he’s going to be perfect in one month or two or three – it’s just game by game.”
“You want all of your players to be 100 per cent, 100 per cent of the time, but that is not going to happen.
“Frustration isn’t the word – I’m trying to get the best out of him and the rest of the team all of the time while taking into account the games coming up.
“It’s not about being not able to play him in some games, it’s making sure he feels right and contributing to the team the way he wants to.”
Pressed on where he feels is Palmer’s best position, Rosenior responded: “His best position is on the pitch.”
Rosenior dismisses criticism
Rosenior received some criticism for his approach in the second leg with Arsenal, which saw Chelsea adopt a defensive set-up to keep the game tight deep into the second half, preserving a one-goal deficit in the hope of finding a leveller late on.
It ultimately backfired as Chelsea were unable to break Arsenal down and conceded a stoppage-time goal to suffer defeat on the night and in the tie.
But Rosenior has no interest in critics of his gameplan.
“The noise doesn’t surprise me at all. What other teams do has nothing to do with me,” Rosenior said.
“What people say outside the club makes no difference to my decision making. In hindsight, we didn’t go through so there are always things you can do differently, but that was a very, very solid performance against a team very good at home.”
