Six Chelsea stars ruled out of Man Utd showdown as Xabi Alonso confirms fresh blow | Football

Maxence Lacroix has joined Chelsea’s injury list ahead of Saturday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United.

The Blues were dumped out of the Carabao Cup midweek after losing 7-6 on penalties to Liverpool with Lacroix’s evening coming to a premature end just before half time.

The £52million signing was tracking Cody Gakpo when he pulled up, gingerly leaving the pitch clutching his hamstring as he was replaced by Levi Colwill.

The France international has been a fixture in Xabi Alonso’s starting XI following his summer move from Crystal Palace, playing the full 90 minutes in seven of Chelsea’s eight Premier League games and racking up more minutes than anyone else in the squad.

But he is now set to miss at least Chelsea’s next two games.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Alonso said: ‘Max picked up an injury and we expect he is not going to be ready before the international break. He will be a few weeks out.’

Alonso confirmed Moises Caicedo will be available after a minor concern midweek with summer signing Pep Chavarria also available. Cole Palmer is also expected to return to the side after serving a one-match suspension for the red card he picked up against Tottenham.

Jorrel Hato will not be ready for tomorrow’s game however having been left out of the squad midweek against Liverpool.

Emiliano Martinez also remains sidelined having undergone surgery on a fractured jaw although Alonso did offer hope he could return against Sunderland next week.

‘There’s a chance,’ Alonso said when asked if the Argentina international could return before the international break. ‘We still need to wait until next week but there’s a chance.

Joao Pedro also remains unavailable as a result of the thigh injury that ruled him out of the defeat at home to Spurs last weekend. Reece James is not expected to return early 2027 having undergone minor knee surgery earlier this month.

Jamie Gittens is also still on his way back from an ankle injury.

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