Blues hopeful over Azpilicueta groin injury

Cesar Azpilicueta’s groin injury is not thought to be serious.

The Chelsea full-back was injured stretching for the ball near the touchline during the 2-0 home win over Newcastle and had to be replaced during the first half.

But assistant first-team coach Steve Holland said: “He has a slight groin injury but we don’t think it is a major problem.

“We will know more when we do the scans in the next couple of games.”

Chelsea’s next game is on Saturday when they travel to play Swansea City.

The Blues were below their best in the first half against a determined Newcastle side but were much improved after the interval.

Holland said: “The performance level over the 31 games we have played this year has been very, very good and consistent.

“In the first half we dropped below that and Jose [Mourinho] was very clear with what he wanted them to do to improve and the team did that.

“The performance in the second half was much more like the Chelsea we are used to seeing week in week out. In the end it was a comfortable win.

“Jose is a manager with huge experience who knows what to say and when to say it.

“He wanted the team to play further up the pitch, to press further up the pitch, to be be mentally more agressive and assertive and play at a quicker tempo.

“The players did that and were much better in the second half. The second half was more or less solely in our opponents’ half.”

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