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regular-article-logo Monday, 23 December 2024

Premier League: Silva blow to Chelsea as rampant City wait

Brazilian Silva, who has made 23 league appearances this season, left the field in the second half after sustaining the injury during an attempt to block Jean-Philippe Mateta's shot

Reuters London Published 17.02.24, 10:54 AM
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Chelsea defender Thiago Silva will miss Saturday's Premier League visit to second-placed Manchester City after suffering a groin injury in Monday's 3-1 win at Crystal Palace, manager Mauricio Pochettino said.

Brazilian Silva, who has made 23 league appearances this season, left the field in the second half after sustaining the injury during an attempt to block Jean-Philippe Mateta's shot.

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"Yes, minor injury... he (Silva) is out for tomorrow (Saturday). He's not available. Afterwards, we need to assess him," Pochettino told reporters on Friday.

Midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka will also miss the game with a twisted knee but Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, out since December with a knee injury, is available, the manager added.

Chelsea held City to an eventful 4-4 draw at home in November, when Pochettino was booked for a post-match outburst aimed at referee Anthony Taylor.

"It is not going to happen again. I was so upset with the referee and I went like an arrow onto the pitch for the referee. It was a big mistake... I feel really bad so I apologise again," Pochettino said of the incident.

He added that facing City would require Chelsea to attack.

"You need to be brave, to force them to defend, to run backwards, face to the goal," he said.

"It's a team that can dominate you and it's going to make (you) suffer. I think the most important thing that we realise is we need to attack."

Saturday will see Chelsea's England midfielder Cole Palmer return to City, where he spent 13 years before leaving in the close season.

"He is very grateful to Man City and he left the club as he wanted to find another challenge," Pochettino said of the 21-year-old.

Chelsea, 10th with 34 points, are 18 points adrift of City, who are chasing their fourth title in a row as they trail leaders Liverpool by two points, albeit with a game in hand.

Salah return likely

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is in line to feature against Brentford on Saturday, but right back Trent Alexander-Arnold is ruled out with an injury, manager Juergen Klopp said.

The 31-year-old Egypt captain, the league's second-highest scorer this season with 14 goals, had picked up a hamstring injury during the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, suffered a recurrence of a knee injury during Liverpool's 3-1 home win against Burnley last weekend. The 25-year-old is set to miss the League Cup final against Chelsea later this month.

"Mo is back in full training, so that brings him back into contention," Klopp told reporters ahead of his side's trip to west London.

"Ibou (Ibrahima Konate) is not suspended anymore, Joey (Joe Gomez) is fit again, Conor (Bradley) is back, Ali (Alisson Becker) is back, so that's all positive. Thiago (Alcantara), no. And Trent not (available)."

The German coach dismissed suggestions that Alexander-Arnold was rushed back after his injury.

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