Injured Chelsea Pair Miss Out on Tottenham Showdown; Pochettino Expresses Hopes for their Return

Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that players Christopher Nkunku and Levi Colwill are unlikely to participate in the upcoming match against Tottenham. Both players are on the brink of recovery from their respective injuries, yet are not considered match-fit.

The Argentine coach is currently navigating a 14-player injury list ahead of the crucial London derby at Stamford Bridge. Despite the pair being back in full training, Pochettino clarified why they won't be playing in the Tottenham showdown.

He explained that while Colwill and Nkunku's training session went as per usual, preparing for the next match, they didn't meet the necessary standards to play. He hopes for their full recovery and match-readiness for the subsequent West Ham game on Sunday, though the situation depends on the progress they make over the weekend.

In another development, Thiago Silva might not appear again for Chelsea due to a groin injury sustained in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. With Silva's departure, Pochettino emphasized his role in encouraging new leadership among the players. He is also positive that the team will mature and perform even better next season.