A couple of Sunderland’s new additions from the transfer window could be unavailable for the Black Cats’ journey to Stamford Bridge in a little under two weeks, while one is confirmed to be out for the match.
Chelsea play host to Sunderland in SW6 next weekend hoping to avert a potentially tricky Premier League encounter.
The recently-promoted team from the north-east have enjoyed a promising beginning to the new season, securing three victories and two stalemates from their first seven games – a mirror image of Chelsea’s record.
Sunderland encounter a trio of injury setbacks ahead of the Chelsea match
Enzo Maresca’s Blues, however, can lay claim to a superior difference in goals scored and conceded and consequently occupy a higher position in the league standings, but that situation could be subject to change when Regis Le Bris’ team arrive in the capital on Saturday, October 25.
Chelsea are also contending with their own injury concerns, with players such as Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, and Cole Palmer all sidelined for forthcoming matches, including Sunderland’s visit, although they do benefit from a more extensive squad compared to the majority of their Premier League counterparts.
The Black Cats were active spenders during the summer transfer period, not restricted by past Financial Fair Play concerns and a restrained expenditure on wages, enabling them to bring in a number of high-caliber players from across Europe.
Omar Alderete and Noah Sadiki made the switch from Getafe and Union Saint-Gilloise, respectively, while £30 million acquisition Habib Diarra arrived from Strasbourg.
The latter is ruled out until later this year following an operation, while Sadiki was absent from DR Congo’s World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday due to a twisted ankle.
Alderete, meanwhile, was substituted in the closing stages of Paraguay’s friendly loss against South Korea and will need further assessment on what was described locally as ‘muscle discomfort’.
All of the aforementioned players have fulfilled important roles for Sunderland during the initial stages of the 2025/26 season.
Extended periods on the sidelines for any of them, as is already the reality with Diarra, would constitute a notable setback to the Black Cats’ endeavor to maintain their position in the highest division for another term.
