All one can ever hope for heading into a bout of international fixtures is that all of our Chelsea representatives return fit and unscathed. That mantra applies particularly when the aforementioned bout of internationals takes place three days before the start of a new Premier League campaign.
The rioting across London over the past few days meant the authorities had little choice but to cancel the England friendly against the Netherlands, scheduled to be played at Wembley last night. Frank Lampard had already withdrawn from Fabio Capello’s Three Lions squad after suffering from a throat infection, although he did return to Blues training yesterday. Ashley Cole and John Terry, the other England representatives, were also at Cobham. Lampard is expected to be well enough to start on Sunday.
However, the news emanating out of the Spanish camp was slightly more grim last night. Fernando Torres, Chelsea’s record signing, lasted only a quarter of an hour into the World champions’ defeat at the hands of Italy before being withdrawn after suffering concussion.
The striker was taken to a local hospital in Italy for a scan, however that move was considered only precautionary, and reports suggested he later rejoined the national team for their return to Madrid. Whether he will be fit for the trip to Stoke City on Sunday for Andre Villas-Boas’ first game in charge as Blues boss remains to be seen.
Torres, however, is not the only injury concern for the new manager as he plans for the trip to the Brittania. The tabloids are reporting that Branislav Ivanovic, the Serbian defender, is out of the visit to Stoke with a thigh injury, after missing out on his national team’s friendly this week against Russia.
That will leave the Blues worryingly thin on the ground at the back, as both David Luiz and Alex, the Brazilian defenders, have had interrupted pre-seasons, due to Copa America involvement and injury respectively. Slobodan Rajkovic remains without a work permit and so is unable to play any part, leaving youngsters Tomas Kalas and Nathaniel Chalobah as back-up.
Villas-Boas is also without the suspended Daniel Sturridge, while John Obi Mikel is struggling for fitness after picking up an ankle knock in the first half against Rangers last weekend.
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