Bournemouth vs Chelsea press conference: Lampard on injury latest and Badiashile’s chances | News | Official Site

Lampard answered media questions in Cobham before he and the team travel south to Bournemouth ahead of our south coast meeting tomorrow.

He had nothing to improve on the injury front, with Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly absent, as well as the long-term absent Mason Mount and Reece James.

Update Bournemouth vs Chelsea Badiashile

One player who has been fit lately but hasn’t shown much is Benoit Badiashile. He has only played once since the Everton draw in March and Lampard was asked if he could return to the starting XI at Vitality.

‘He’s close by,’ said Lampard.

“He couldn’t play for me in the Champions League. He played against Brighton in what was a difficult game for everyone. He competes with Thiago, with Wesley, Trevoh. He’s very close, he’s training well.

“There are many young players who come from a different league. It’s understandable to have moments of playtime and moments when you aren’t. You find your way in this league.

“Usually these players come to a club like Chelsea in a moment of great stability. At this moment it is not the case. Respect to these players, it’s not easy to shoulder that responsibility. They’re all trying to work and keep going, and we’re here as employees to support that.

“The fans will remain loyal to the team”

Lampard echoed the words he said after the Arsenal defeat that the players care, but many struggle for confidence or form for a variety of reasons and the job of him and his staff is to try and build that into the to restore in the coming weeks.

He was also asked by a journalist if he had any message for Chelsea fans ahead of our last five games in 2022/23 that the Blues are in the extremely rare situation of not challenging anything significant.

“The fans will stay loyal to the team,” said Lampard.

“I don’t have to tell you much more. You could see that with the Chelsea fans at the end of the Arsenal game. Since I first joined, the club has grown from a really big football club to a monster of a football club in the world, so the fan base is much bigger.

“Everyone on the outside wants to say there’s not much to it, but I and the players have to show immense pride in what we’re doing in these games. It is the first step into the future.

“Do we need a sensible restart in the summer? Sure, that’s clear, but right now we have to do what’s ahead and fans can rest assured, from my perspective, that I’m pushing for that and I hope they can see the fruits of that wherever they are. ‘

Bournemouth vs Chelsea Injury List

Reece James is out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring problem, while Mason Mount is still missing after undergoing surgery on a pelvic injury. Armando Broja is still unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation after cruciate ligament damage.

Bournemouth are expected to be without Ryan Fredericks, Junior Stanislas and Marcus Tavernier. Kieffer Moore suffered a concussion in the Cherries’ win against Leeds last weekend, a game Chris Mepham missed with a hamstring injury. Hamed Traore is questionable.

Bournemouth suspended against Chelsea

There are no blocks for either side in this game.

With Chelsea now having played more than 32 Premier League games this season, suspension of players for accumulated yellow cards in 2022/23 is no longer possible. However, bans will still be imposed on players who are sent off.

Bournemouth vs Chelsea Referee and VAR

Referee: John Brooks
VAR: David Coote