Maurizio Sarri expected Cesc Fabregas to return to training this week after missing Chelsea’s first two games of the Premier League season, but so far, the veteran midfielder continues to be absent due to his “unusual” knee injury.
Speaking before last weekend’s win over Arsenal, Sarri called it a “near”-knee injury, which presumably is only near-as-serious as most other knee injuries, but has now kept Fabregas out for over two weeks anyway.
https://twitter.com/CarefreeYouth/status/1032236880060981249
“Fàbregas is out for [the Arsenal match].
“I hope he will be able to be on the pitch in the next week. Nothing serious, but he has an unusual injury, nothing serious.
“I hope he will have a training session this week. He has a pain near the knee, not the knee, but near it.”
-Maurizio Sarri
Fabregas started the Community Shield against Manchester City despite the already existing injury, but lasted just an hour alongside Jorginho and Ross Barkley.
He’s since been replaced by N’Golo Kante, who looks to be adapting to his new, further forward role.
Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic is getting close to full match fitness as well, so Fabregas will certainly have his work cut out to get back into the lineup.
With 7 players vying for just three spots, that mini-competition will be intense all season … just as it should be at a top side.