Chelsea Faces Illness Challenges Ahead of Brentford Match

Chelsea FC is currently grappling with an illness that has impacted various players and staff members within the squad. According to reports from The Athletic, both Gittens and Delap are sidelined due to this illness and have been advised to remain at home for recovery.

This situation arises shortly after Rosenior took over from Enzo Maresca and during a challenging series of fixtures for Chelsea. The team is set to face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday, with upcoming matches against Pafos, Crystal Palace, Napoli, and West Ham before the end of January.

During a press conference on Thursday, Rosenior addressed the health crisis, confirming that Delap would not be available for the match against Brentford. He stated, “No, he’s still at home at the moment, recovering. As is Jamie Gittens. Our club doctors are doing everything they can to contain what appears to be a virus, which has also affected some of our staff. We held a meeting with the players today to emphasize the importance of hygiene, particularly handwashing, as we aim to manage this situation effectively. With a busy schedule ahead, it’s crucial that all players are fit and healthy.”

On a more positive note, Rosenior provided an update on Romeo Lavia, who has faced a challenging period due to injuries. Although he was sidelined in November, Lavia is nearing a return to training. Rosenior commented, “Romeo is on the pitch; he’s not training with the group yet, but we can see him on the grass doing his rehabilitation. He is looking really good. I admire him not just as a person but also as a player. I look forward to working with him long-term because he is an outstanding talent. Our priority now is to ensure he returns when fully fit so that we can integrate him into the team effectively.”

Rosenior’s upcoming challenge is against a strong Brentford side, marking his Premier League management debut for Chelsea. Historically, Chelsea has struggled against Brentford, winning only one of their last eight encounters in the league. Additionally, the team has faced difficulties on home turf during the current season, a trend Rosenior aims to reverse. He remarked, “The past is the past; I shared this with the players. I can only focus on the present. If I can influence the present, I can shape the future. I want us to play with high intensity, making it challenging for opponents to perform at Stamford Bridge. The key is to execute the fundamentals effectively.”

Brentford arrives at Stamford Bridge two points and three places ahead of Chelsea in the Premier League standings. The Bees are currently on a six-game unbeaten streak, having previously drawn 2-2 with Chelsea earlier this season at the Gtech Community Stadium.