{"id":417,"date":"2026-04-24T13:17:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T13:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=417"},"modified":"2026-04-24T13:17:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T13:17:14","slug":"chelsea-vs-leeds-united-early-injury-news-as-6-ruled-out-and-1-doubt-for-fa-cup-semi-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=417","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea vs Leeds United early injury news as 6 ruled out and 1 doubt for FA Cup semi-final"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div q:key=\"QW_5\"><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6v q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Chelsea are back in action on Sunday as they turn their attention to the FA Cup amid a chaotic week that saw Liam Rosenior sacked. The Blues ended their relationship with Rosenior after a damaging defeat to Brighton on Tuesday night that could see Chelsea drop out of the European spots altogether this weekend.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6w q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-(18px) md:mt-0 mb-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6x\">Chelsea are back in action on Sunday as they turn their attention to the FA Cup amid a chaotic week that saw Liam Rosenior sacked. The Blues ended their relationship with Rosenior after a damaging defeat to Brighton on Tuesday night that could see Chelsea drop out of the European spots altogether this weekend.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6y q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The search for a new manager now begins, but Calum McFarlane has been put in temporary charge for now, and it&#39;s likely he will remain in charge until the end of the season, given the proximity to the end of the campaign.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6z q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"70\">The search for a new manager now begins, but Calum McFarlane has been put in temporary charge for now, and it&#8217;s likely he will remain in charge until the end of the season, given the proximity to the end of the campaign.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=71 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>With Chelsea&#39;s European hopes in the balance, the FA Cup represents a big opportunity to guarantee European football. Still, the Blues will come up against Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday, in what will be an interesting clash.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=72 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"73\">With Chelsea&#8217;s European hopes in the balance, the FA Cup represents a big opportunity to guarantee European football. Still, the Blues will come up against Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday, in what will be an interesting clash.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=74 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Whites have all-but wrapped up Premier League safety, so they can largely concentrate on the FA Cup and capping a successful season with silverware. For reference, Manchester City face Southampton in the other semi-final, and one of those teams will already have booked their place in the final by the time Chelsea face Leeds. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=75 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"76\">The Whites have all-but wrapped up Premier League safety, so they can largely concentrate on the FA Cup and capping a successful season with silverware. For reference, Manchester City face Southampton in the other semi-final, and one of those teams will already have booked their place in the final by the time Chelsea face Leeds. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=77 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Ahead of a huge FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, we have rounded up the latest injury news surrounding the Blues and Leeds.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=78 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"79\">Ahead of a huge FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, we have rounded up the latest injury news surrounding the Blues and Leeds.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7a q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Anton Stach - Out<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7b q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7c\">Anton Stach &#8211; Out<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7d q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Stach was confirmed out before the Bournemouth game, with Daniel Farke saying: &#34;Anton is not back in team training, so he won&rsquo;t travel with us to Bournemouth.&#34; Given Stach is not even back in training, he will miss out here, too.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7e q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7f\">Stach was confirmed out before the Bournemouth game, with Daniel Farke saying: &#8220;Anton is not back in team training, so he won\u2019t travel with us to Bournemouth.&#8221; Given Stach is not even back in training, he will miss out here, too.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7g q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Daniel James - Fit<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7h q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7i\">Daniel James &#8211; Fit<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7j q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>James returned to the bench for the Bournemouth game, and while he was kept on the bench, he will likely be seen as available to play here, even if he is still likely to start on the bench due to his recent absence.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7k q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7l\">James returned to the bench for the Bournemouth game, and while he was kept on the bench, he will likely be seen as available to play here, even if he is still likely to start on the bench due to his recent absence.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7m q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Estevao Willian - Out<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7n q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7o\">Estevao Willian &#8211; Out<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7p q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Estevao picked up a fresh injury blow recently and was confirmed out for the Brighton game and beyond by Rosenior prior to his departure. He said: &#34;Estevao is definitely out, which is a real shame, and we are doing further tests into the extent of his injury.&#34;<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7q q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7r\">Estevao picked up a fresh injury blow recently and was confirmed out for the Brighton game and beyond by Rosenior prior to his departure. He said: &#8220;Estevao is definitely out, which is a real shame, and we are doing further tests into the extent of his injury.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7s q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Levi Colwill - Out<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7t q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7u\">Levi Colwill &#8211; Out<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7v q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>This will come far too soon for Colwill, who has been out with a serious knee injury since the summer, but the defender could return before the end of the season. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7w q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7x\">This will come far too soon for Colwill, who has been out with a serious knee injury since the summer, but the defender could return before the end of the season. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7y q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Rosenior said at the start of this week: &#34;Very hopeful that we&rsquo;ll see him before the end of the season. He played for the U21s, and while it was a very low-level game, getting 60 mins was a really good start for him. We want him to be involved in the next (U21s) game, and build him up because it&#39;s been a really bad injury that he&#39;s come back from.&#34;<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7z q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"80\">Rosenior said at the start of this week: &#8220;Very hopeful that we\u2019ll see him before the end of the season. He played for the U21s, and while it was a very low-level game, getting 60 mins was a really good start for him. We want him to be involved in the next (U21s) game, and build him up because it&#8217;s been a really bad injury that he&#8217;s come back from.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=81 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Jamie Bynoe-Gittens - Out<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=82 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"83\">Jamie Bynoe-Gittens &#8211; Out<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=84 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Gittens picked up a hamstring injury in training at the start of this month and will be out until early to mid May.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=85 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"86\">Gittens picked up a hamstring injury in training at the start of this month and will be out until early to mid May.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=87 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Filip Jorgensen - Out<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=88 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"89\">Filip Jorgensen &#8211; Out<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=8a q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Jorgensen required a small procedure on his groin last month and will return at a similar time to Gittens.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=8b q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8c\">Jorgensen required a small procedure on his groin last month and will return at a similar time to Gittens.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=8d q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Reece James - Out<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=8e q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8f\">Reece James &#8211; Out<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=8g q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>James is targeting an early May return from his thigh issue.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=8h q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8i\">James is targeting an early May return from his thigh issue.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=8j q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Joao Pedro - Fit<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=8k q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8l\">Joao Pedro &#8211; Fit<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=8m q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Rosenior confirmed that Joao Pedro will be fit for Sunday when speaking before the Brighton clash, saying: &#39;&#34;Joao Pedro will be good for Sunday. But this game is too close for him.&#34;<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=8n q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8o\">Rosenior confirmed that Joao Pedro will be fit for Sunday when speaking before the Brighton clash, saying: &#8216;&#8221;Joao Pedro will be good for Sunday. But this game is too close for him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=8p q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Cole Palmer - Doubt<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=8q q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8r\">Cole Palmer &#8211; Doubt<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=8s q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Palmer is a doubt for this weekend as he battles muscular tightness. Rosenior said earlier this week: &#34;Cole has had some tightness in his hamstring, which he&#39;s been carrying for a while. So, he&#39;s going to be out for this game, and we&#39;ll see how he moves on for this FA Cup semi-final.&#34;<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=8t q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8u\">Palmer is a doubt for this weekend as he battles muscular tightness. Rosenior said earlier this week: &#8220;Cole has had some tightness in his hamstring, which he&#8217;s been carrying for a while. So, he&#8217;s going to be out for this game, and we&#8217;ll see how he moves on for this FA Cup semi-final.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:id=8v q:key=1jXG:QW_3--><!--qv q:id=8w q:key=9yVI:Ef_0--><\/p>\n<div on:click=\"q-1Tftb5V2.js#s_Ytib2zHV0Tc(0 1)\" q:key=\"WY_1\" q:id=\"8x\"><!--qv q:s q:sref=8w q:key=--><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"google-news-widget\" class=\"my-5 p-4 flex items-center gap-4 rounded-lg bg-(#F0F0F0)\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/><span class=\"font-group-big text-black text-(16px)\">Add us as a preferred source on <span class=\"font-bold\">Google<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"hidden pt-(1px) leading-(1.4) md:inline\">Follow<\/span><svg viewbox=\"0 0 4 8\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"h-(12px) w-(6px) md:h-(8px) md:w-(4px)\"><path d=\"M0.5 0.5L3.5 4L0.5 7.5\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea are back in action on Sunday as they turn their attention to the FA&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":418,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-417","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\/417","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=417"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/417\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=417"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}