Huge injury boost: Three important things spotted in Chelsea training before Man City
It has been a week of smiles and sunshine for Chelsea. Coming off the back of their biggest Premier League win in two years – an emphatic 6-0 pumping of hapless and relegation-threatened Everton – the Blues are in fine shape heading into their FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City.
Having been defeated four times by last season’s treble winners in 2022/23 without scoring as much as a goal, Mauricio Pochettino has seen his side earn two valiant draws this term. Chelsea pushed City all the way when the two teams last met in February at the Etihad Stadium and caused them serious problems in the dramatic Stamford Bridge epic before the turn of the year.
They also have a strong recent record over Pep Guardiola in knockout games, winning the 2021 Champions League final as well as the FA Cup semi-final in an empty Wembley Stadium just one month earlier under Thomas Tuchel. Much has changed since, but having been just minutes away from apparent collapse for much of 2024 despite stronger results, they come into this game with confidence.
Chelsea are unbeaten in 90 minutes for two months now and have only been defeated once in their last 12 in all competitions. The devil is in the detail though, and draws to Brentford, Burnley, and Sheffield United as well as the extra time horrorshow against Liverpool in the League Cup have meant there is still plenty of work for Pochettio to do to win over the fans.
A good way to start would be getting to what has become an almost yearly event now, the FA Cup final. Here, we looks at what has beens going on in training in the build-up.
Madueke makes up
Only this Chelsea could be 3-0 up and cause a drama. Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson’s penalty farce at SW6 on Monday was a farce and got the sort of reaction it deserved.
The childish petulance on show demonstrated just what sort of environment still exists with this new and young side. Pochettino has called for change after laying into the maturity (or lack of) shown by some of his players though, and the chance to prove that was in training.
Madueke is the chief culprit having also been keen to take the ball of golden boot chasing – and unflappable, faultless, God Kid attacker – Cole Palmer in the last minute against Manchester United. He then displayed yet more irritation at being substituted shortly after following a strong tackle that sent him down.
Not a good look for a player starting consecutive league games for the first time this season and with a place in an FA Cup semi-final XI up for grabs. Madueke seems to have made up for his public embarrassment though.
He posted an image of himself and Pochettino speaking on the training pitches at Cobham on Wednesday and was also pictured working with Palmer in the gym. All’s well that ends well, and Chelsea will be keen to put this behind them.
James recovering
Reece James is continuing to put the hard work in as he looks to get back to the pitch as soon as possible. It has been over four months now since the Chelsea captain last played a game and there is no imminent return just yet.
However, the 24-year-old is pictured once more working towards a long-awaited next appearance. He was snapped during one of his individual drills on the grass at the Surrey-based training complex, running away from a coach with a resistance band tied around his waist.
James has been working on his own now for well over a month, and can often be seen at Cobham putting in the hard yards. On Wednesday he addressed his time out on Instagram, writing: “I’ve been gone a while, but I’m doing well.Really well. The journey has been long and tough, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I’m in a good place. The comeback is on, more hungry than ever. Stay well in the meantime and see u soon.”
The full-back is sure to be in attendance at Wembley in a non-playing capacity. His mere presence in training outdoors will be yet another boost for Pochettino though.
Palmer’s surprise
Nothing, and we mean nothing, ever seems to phase Palmer. A last-minute penalty? Completed it, mate. Goals against boyhood clubs, former teams, new fierce rivals? Easy. Peacemaking between teammates and scoring hat-tricks? Give him a challenge.
The 21-year-old’s ability to be the coolest – and yes, coldest – person in almost every situation is not ceasing to amaze in what is still, let us remind ourselves, his first season as a regular top-flight option. However, one moment in training did seem to catch Palmer off-guard.
In what appears to be the young forward trying to poach a ball in at the back post, he was left open-mouthed and aghast. Whilst everything he has touched so far this season seemed to turn to gold – and goals, yes – this tiny moment really did look to leave him spooked.
Best to get it out of the way in training anyway.
