Technical crew of Chelsea may well have to cope without injured Super Eagles forward Victor Moses for their crunch midweek Premier League match against Manchester City tonight.
The Stamford Bridge wingback has been struggling with a calf injury he sustained in the Blues’ FA Cup win over Manchester United in March.
The knock kept Moses out of Nigeria’s squad against Senegal in last week’s FIFA international window and he also missed Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace at the weekend.
The player was unable to participate in training on Monday, casting further doubt over his ability to be fit for the clash with City today, though Chelsea is yet to officially declare his unavailability.
Should Moses remain sidelined, coach Antonio Conte is likely to play either Pedro or Cesc Fabregas in the wingback role against the Citizens.
Meanwhile, Conte has said that the bad-tempered end to the Premier League leaders 3-1 victory over Manchester City earlier this season will not influence today’s renewal of their rivalry.
The 47-year-old Italian — speaking to the press a year to the day he was named as Chelsea manager for this season — revealed that Brazilian defender David Luiz still requires treatment on the knee that Sergio Aguero clattered into earning him a red card.
That sparked a free for all which saw Aguero’s City team-mate Fernandinho sent off as well for sending Cesc Fabregas over the advertising hoardings — both clubs were subsequently fined by the Football Association.
“I think now his knee is better than before and for sure he needs to have the treatment,” said Conte.
“It’s not important (the game at City). We must understand that when there is a game and above all if someone is losing the game, it can happen this type of situation. I have great respect for Aguero.”
Conte, who has insisted he will see out his three year contract with Chelsea despite reports linking him to the Inter Milan job in Italy, saw his side’s 10 point lead cut to seven over Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea went down 2-1 in a shock home defeat to Crystal Palace whilst Spurs beat Burnley and will hope Conte’s side drop further points on Wednesday and they beat struggling Swansea away.
