Opponent Watch: Everton sweating over several first-team players’ fitness for Chelsea clash

Everton could be without seven key stars for the midweek trip to Chelsea

According to football.london, Everton have seven injury concerns going into the Premier League game against Chelsea on Thursday night.

The Toffees are going through a horrendously rough patch of form, and there is a lot of pressure on Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard shall be leading his side to face Chelsea in midweek, a club he has previously managed. But their injury list does not favour their chances of defeating the West London club.

The Merseyside club is still without Yerry Mina, Tom Davies, and Allan, and the trio is unlikely to return for the game on Thursday. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also not expected to return until Christmas. 

On top of this, they have encountered three other injury concerns, according to the Liverpool Echo. Richarlison came off against Crystal Palace on Sunday after suffering a calf problem. It has since been confirmed that it is a tear, and he is set to be out for several weeks. 

Andros Townsend has also suffered a small fracture in his foot but the club are yet to find out the extent of the issue. Last but not the least, Seamus Coleman has suffered bone bruising and soft tissue damage. The club is yet to provide a return date for him.

Chelsea need to take advantage

The Blues were always going into the game as favourites, even more so after the opponent’s poor form this season. However, their injury list has put us in pole position to wipe the floor with them on Thursday.

Richarlison has been one of Everton’s main players this season, in the absence of Calvert-Lewin. Coleman is one of the very few leaders at the club, while Townsend has worked as a good impact substitute as well as a starter. 

Chelsea would be pleased with this since we have had our own struggles with injuries this season. Trevoh Chalobah, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, and Ben Chilwell have been out for nearly a month, and neither is expected to face the Toffees in mid-week.

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Regardless, we have a squad good enough to put Everton to bed and take all three points. Man City and Liverpool are keeping up their end of the bargain in the hotly contested title race, and the West London club shall be expected to do the same by defeating the Merseyside outfit tomorrow.