Pochettino’s Conundrum with Chilwell’s England Role Amid Injury Crisis
Injury Woes Hit Hard as Premier League Action Resumes
Mauricio Pochettino finds himself grappling with a burgeoning injury list as the Premier League swings back into action. The latest to join this unfortunate roster is Ben Chilwell, fresh from his international duties with England, where his participation has become a point of contention for the seasoned manager.
Chilwell’s Knock Raises Eyebrows
Pochettino, usually composed, couldn’t hide his bewilderment at Gareth Southgate’s decision to start Chilwell in both of England’s recent matches. Following a full shift against Belgium, Chilwell has returned with a knee concern. “Today, he wasn’t ready to train. We will see what will happen [on Friday] if he can be in the squad. Enzo has still not arrived [after playing for Argentina],” Pochettino remarked.
Surprising Call From Southgate
The England left-back’s 67-minute stint against Brazil and a complete game against Belgium, coming off a period of limited playtime post-injury at Chelsea, raises questions. Pochettino voiced his surprise, noting, “Yes, [I was surprised]. It was a little bit of a situation that he started two games and it is maybe a surprise for us but also bad luck as he got a dead leg in the last moment of the game against Belgium. Now we need to struggle and pay in our club. That’s more bad luck for us as we need to assess if he can be available.”
Injury List Grows As Crucial Fixture Approaches
The situation looks grim with the likes of Robert Sanchez, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Trevoh Chalobah also sidelined. Add Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, and Levi Colwill to the mix, and Pochettino faces the daunting prospect of missing up to 11 players for the upcoming Burnley clash.
Brighter News On Horizon
Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom. Cole Palmer, who sat out the Brazil match and remained benched against Belgium, seems to be bouncing back. “He is OK and training well. I think the plan is if he trains in the same way, he will be available for the game on Saturday,” shared a somewhat relieved Pochettino.
Lavia’s Season-Long Blow
Another blow came with Romeo Lavia’s season-ending injury. Pochettino sympathised, “It’s a really difficult situation for him, he is really sad, because he has only played 30 minutes for a player who arrived at the club [in the summer]. It’s a thing that sometimes happens in a club.”
As the Premier League gears up, Pochettino and his squad must navigate these turbulent waters with resilience and adaptability. The coming weeks will undoubtedly test the depth and spirit of the team as they contend with a challenging fixture list and an overflowing treatment room.
