Chelsea ‘facing massive injury crisis’, Sun declares

Recent newspaper stories involving Chelsea….

The Sun have declared that Chelsea boss Frank Lampard “is facing a massive injury crisis” ahead of this weekend’s game against Wolves.

The newspaper say Lampard could be without up to eight players for the trip to Molineux.

It comes after Emerson Palmieri limped off while playing for Italy against Finland.

The Sun include Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and youngster Reece James – all recovering from long-term injuries – in the list of eight players.

Mateo Kovacic is nursing a slight Achilles problem, while N’Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger and Pedro were injured before the international break.

Rudiger is ready for first-team action after twice playing for Chelsea’s development side, while Lampard has made it clear he is hopeful that Kante and Pedro will also face Wolves.

Chelsea ‘begin Emerson contract talks’

Chelsea have reportedly begun talks over a new contract for Emerson amid reports he is wanted by Juventus.

Juve’s former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri is said to want Emerson, who has ousted Marcos Alonso as Chelsea’s first-choice left-back.

The player is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2022.

And the Express have picked up on a story by Goal.com suggesting that Chelsea are looking to cement his long-term future at the club.

Blues ‘pretty confident’ of January signings

Chelsea expect their transfer ban to be lifted in January, according to the Mirror.

The Blues were unable to make signings during the summer because of a two-window ban imposed by Fifa following an investigation into Chelsea’s signing of foreign under-18 players.

Fifa have since rejected an appeal by Chelsea, who have subsequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

A successful appeal to CAS would lead to the ban being halted when the transfer window opens again in January.

And the Mirror say leading agents have been informed that Chelsea expect to do business at the turn of the year.

An anonymous agent is quoted by the newspaper as saying: “Chelsea are anxious to strengthen their squad and seem pretty confident that they will win the appeal and be able to trade again in January

“It could mean the difference to them finishing in the Premier League top four and qualifying for the Champions League.”