Chelsea’s attacking options have taken another hit as Noni Madueke is set to miss the next six games due to a hamstring injury.
The 22-year-old winger was forced off in the first half of Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton last Friday, and initial assessments suggest he will remain sidelined until after the international break at the end of March.
According to The Telegraph, the Blues are hopeful that Madueke’s absence won’t be prolonged, but he is expected to miss key Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa, Southampton, Leicester City, and Arsenal.
Additionally, he will be unavailable for both legs of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League last-16 tie, where they will face one of Gent, FC Copenhagen, Real Betis, or FC Heidenheim.
Madueke’s setback deepens Enzo Maresca’s attacking crisis, with strikers Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu also sidelined. The Chelsea boss will now need to find alternative solutions as the Blues look to stay in contention for a Champions League spot and push forward in European competition.