Chelsea get an injury boost ahead of the Real Madrid game as trio returns to training
The Athletic (subscription required) reports that the Chelsea trio of Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva returned to training ahead of the Real Madrid game in the Champions League.
Amidst the horrendous form in the league, the Blues travel to the Spanish capital to face the reigning European champions in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie.
The whole tie anyway seems like a mismatch given where Chelsea are and how good Madrid have been this season once again. But, the return of Silva, Mount and Kante may instil some hope of making the games interesting at the least.
Silva hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury during the 2-0 defeat away at Tottenham Hotspur back in the last week of February. He was diagnosed to miss a few weeks of action. His return would be a welcome boost to a wobbly back-line.
Mount missed the Wolverhampton Wanderers game on Saturday due to a recurring issue in his abdomen. He is back as well. Lampard may start the 24-year-old in the first leg given how good he was in that stadium last year.
Kante missed the Wolves game due to a precaution after playing 70 good minutes against Liverpool last Tuesday. His presence in midfield would add a bit more substance to the side against a Madrid team that likes to suffocate opposition with quick passing and relentless movements.
Although getting three key players back is a boost, we have to be realistic about Chelsea’s chances in this tie. But, the second leg will be at Stamford Bridge.
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If, by hook or crook, Lampard’s men get a positive result at the Bernabeu (even a one-goal defeat), the atmosphere in the stadium for the second leg may help the players to get that extra yard and challenge Carlo Ancelotti’s men all over the field.