(Football news) Up to 10 players were out for Tuesday’s 5-0 loss against Arsenal due to injuries, continuing Mauricio Pochettino’s terrible season of missing out on important players.

Cole Palmer, who was unable to participate due to illness during the crushing defeat at the Emirates Stadium, might be one of the team’s key players returning before of Saturday’s crucial match against Aston Villa. Presumably for the rest of 2023–24, Pochettino will be without one of his usual performers. 

the decision has been made for Enzo Fernandez to undergo surgery on a long-standing hernia issue.

After the World Cup winner missed the 6-0 win over Everton earlier this month, it was claimed that an operation was a possibility once Chelsea had faced Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.

The 23-year-old played 88 minutes of that contest and would go on to feature for 67 minutes in the encounter against Arsenal three days later. At the time, it was perceived that his withdrawal was simply a case of managing his fitness with the contest against one of their London rivals over as a contest.

Instead, the report claims that all parties – Fernandez, Chelsea and Argentina – have agreed that the best course of action is for the player to undergo surgery. Fernandez will allegedly miss as many as three weeks. With the Premier League concluding in three-and-a-half weeks time, it leaves Fernandez unlikely to be risked again this season ahead of representing Argentina at the Copa America in June.

Having made 36 starts and four substitute outings in all competitions during 2023-24, playing without the presence of Fernandez will not be a simple process for Chelsea.

That said, some supporters may suggest that it could be a blessing in disguise, particularly as it should lead to a more creative player being brought into the team and Conor Gallagher dropping deeper.

Chelsea scored six goals after Fernandez was ruled out of the Everton match. Although it is important to note that Fernandez had been a part of teams that scored at least twice in six straight games before the Toffees destruction, they have not scored against Man City or Arsenal since he returned.

Until Pochettino decides to utilize Cesare Casadei as a straight replacement for Fernandez, Carney Chukwuemeka or Cole Palmer should be assigned the “number 10 role” at this time.

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