{"id":1048,"date":"2026-04-26T14:01:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T14:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1048"},"modified":"2026-04-26T14:01:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T14:01:22","slug":"estevao-pedro-and-palmer-chelsea-injury-latest-and-return-dates-ahead-of-leeds-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1048","title":{"rendered":"Estevao, Pedro and Palmer &#8211; Chelsea injury latest and return dates ahead of Leeds United"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_d3c6d4\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Chelsea injury latest and return dates ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">16:59, 24 Apr 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 17:00, 24 Apr 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33834951\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Estevao goes down injured during Chelsea's defeat to Manchester United\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33834951.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2271405592.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33834951.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2271405592.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33834951.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2271405592.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33834951.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2271405592.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Estevao goes down injured during Chelsea's defeat to Manchester United\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Estevao goes down injured during Chelsea&#8217;s defeat to Manchester United<cite aria-label=\"Image: (Izzy Poles - AMA\/Getty Images)\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: (Izzy Poles &#8211; AMA\/Getty Images))<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea take a break from Premier League action this weekend when they take on Leeds United in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. The game at Wembley will also be the second time this season Calum McFarlane has taken charge of the Blues after Liam Rosenior was sacked on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Blues were hammered 3-0 by Brighton on Tuesday, their worst performance of the season as their woeful run extended to five Premier League losses in a row without scoring. The current run is Chelsea\u2019s worst since 1912 and has seen them almost eliminated from contention to qualify for the next season\u2019s Champions League.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While Sunday\u2019s game represented the last chance for the Blues to salvage their campaign, and we have rounded-up the latest injury news.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE!<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_b62670\">Estevao<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Estevao pulled up after chasing a lofted pass in behind the opposing defensive line. Following on-field medical attention, the 18-year-old winger indicated to the bench that he was unable to continue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And it has since been confirmed that he won&#8217;t play again this season for Chelsea. While his hopes of playing for Brazil also hang in the balance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Estevao unfortunately won&#8217;t play for us this season,&#8221; McFarlane said. &#8220;He is going to be out for a little bit of time. We&#8217;re here to support him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Before he added: &#8220;I&#8217;m not sure on that if I&#8217;m honest. He won&#8217;t be available for us. I&#8217;m sure he&#8217;s very hopeful he can make the World Cup but I don&#8217;t know on that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Possible return date: <\/strong>Pre-season<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_b62670\">Jo\u00e3o Pedro<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Joao Pedro was not in the matchday squad to face Manchester United or Brighton as a result of a thigh injury, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">football.london<\/strong> understands, but he could return this weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Joao (Pedro) and Cole (Palmer), they trained, they&#8217;re in a good place,&#8221; McFarlane said on Friday. &#8220;We don&#8217;t know yet, we&#8217;ll have a look at them and make a call on that. They&#8217;re going to train tomorrow, so we are hopeful.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Possible return date: <\/strong>Leeds United (N) April 26<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_b62670\">Cole Palmer<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Palmer missed the defeat at the Amex, but McFarlane confirmed he could return this weekend. He said: &#8220;Joao (Pedro) and Cole (Palmer), they trained, they&#8217;re in a good place. We don&#8217;t know yet, we&#8217;ll have a look at them and make a call on that. They&#8217;re going to train tomorrow, so we are hopeful.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Possible return date: <\/strong>Leeds United (N) April 26<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_b62670\">Reece James<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A further hamstring injury has sidelined James, though initial concerns that he might not feature again this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Possible return date: <\/strong>Early May<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_b62670\">Levi Colwill<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Colwill has been back in full Chelsea training for nearly a month, and is expected to play for the club&#8217;s under-21 side this weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Possible return date: <\/strong>Unknown<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_b62670\">Jamie Gittens<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gittens was on the cusp of returning from injury before sustaining a fresh hamstring problem in training.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Possible return date:<\/strong> N\/A<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_b62670\">Philip Jorgensen<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liam Rosenior ruled Jorgensen out for a few weeks back in March following surgery, indicating the goalkeeper could be set for an imminent comeback.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Possible return date:<\/strong> N\/A<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea injury latest and return dates ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1049,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1048"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1048\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}