Zola confirms Gary Cahill could return to the bench against Slavia Prague

Chelsea welcome Slavia Prague at the Stamford Bridge on Friday in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. The Blues lead the quarter-final tie 1-0 following Marcos Alonso’s 86th-minute winner in the first leg in Prague last week.

Speaking ahead of the game, Chelsea’s assistant manager Gianfranco Zola gave an injury update.

“It looks not as bad as we thought, luckily. When he came off limping, we were worried. Apparently, it’s not that bad. He’s a strong boy and he’ll be back sooner than you expect,” Zola told in his presser. (h/t Football.London)

Rudiger sustained a knee issue in Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat away to Liverpool on Sunday, and had to be helped off the pitch by two physios just before the break. His injury means Gary Cahill, who last played a game for us on November 29, is set to return to Sarri’s squad for the Blues’ Europa League quarter-final second-leg clash against Slavia Prague.

On Cahill, Zola confirmed that there’s a strong possibility of the defender being on the bench: “He’s on the squad list. I still don’t know if he’ll be on the bench – there’s a strong possibility. Gary has been exceptional as a professional, always training very well. I’ll be happy to see him back in the squad.” (h/t Football.London)

Sarri rotated his squad in the first leg in Prague but Zola asserted that there won’t be many changes this time around.

“I wouldn’t say we put out a weak side over there. We made changes because we have a very good squad and the players could do well coming in. I wouldn’t say there’ll be many changes. It’s a tough match. We knew that before the first game, and that confirmed it. We have to play a good team and at our best.” (h/t Football.London)

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We have a slender one-goal advantage but cannot take Slavia Prague lightly in any cost. Sarri needs to play his best XI that can beat the opposition at Stamford Bridge. Winning the Europa League gives us the best chance to return back to the Champions League.