Chelsea have lost their Estevao Willian to the next Premier League game against Newcastle United and Enzo Maresca, the coach, announced the same on Tuesday. The young star has sustained a slight muscular injury but he is likely to be out on Saturday to be on the side. The update of injuries was after a difficult quarter-final of the Carabao cup at Chelsea over Cardiff which should have been an easy game but turned out to be a challenge.
Cardiff, who has been on a winning streak of five games in League One, played very well, and was able to destabilize the Premier League team. The first half was a painful one with Cardiff dominating a major section of the game at the expense of Chelsea and the manager Maresca had to make some crucial adjustments during the half time.
Joao Pedro introduction and that of Alejandro Garnacho changed the gears with Garnacho scoring shortly after the restart. Cardiff replied decisively, and leveled with a strong head of David Turnbull. Nevertheless, the quality of Chelsea proved to be a crucial factor in the end, with Pedro Neto regaining the scored goal and Garnacho scoring his second goal in the very end of injury time to ensure the continuation.
Maresca downplayed the concerns surrounding the condition of Estevao after the match. It is just a light muscular problem, said he. He will not be fit that Newcastle, but we think he will soon be back. It is a blow to the Chelsea manager who admitted in the recent past that he has been under considerable strain, behind the scenes.
After a 2-0 league victory at Everton on Saturday ended a four-match losing streak, Maresca acknowledged to having gone through the worst 48 hours of his tenure, due to frustrations and lack of support. Nonetheless, Chelsea will have the desire to continue the momentum against Newcastle and will take time to ensure that Estevao heals. The club is optimistic that the young striker will get back in the near future as they go through a taxing schedule of matches in competitions.
