Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m) has emerged as a doubt for Manchester United’s game against West Ham due to a neck injury.
“Cristiano is a question mark because he has a problem with his neck,” Ralf Rangnick revealed on Friday. “He received treatment yesterday for two-three hours and we will have to wait to see how he feels today.”
Rangnick also confirmed that Victor Lindelof (£4.8m) will miss the West Ham game after his home was broken to while his family were at home during United’s win against Brentford in midweek. “He said to me that he right now needs to stay at home,” Rangnick confirmed. “He doesn’t want to leave his wife and family on their own.”
United’s midfield has come in for criticism recently, so the seemingly imminent return of Paul Pogba (£7.4m) will be a boost for Rangnick. Pogba was pictured in training after being ruled out by a groin injury in November while on international duty. He should be available after the international break, as should Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.1m) who has been ill.
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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel blamed “long-term injuries” for the club’s dip in form – most recently a 1-1 draw with Brighton – that has seen them drop out of Premier League title contention.
The Blues are not alone in this struggle as the combination of lengthy injury lists, Covid positive players and the Africa Cup of Nations begins to take its toll on Premier League clubs, but Tuchel’s men have been hit the hardest as they are four games without a win.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s London derby against Spurs, Tuchel revealed that the influential Reece James (£6.2m) is expected to return next month after suffering a hamstring injury during the December 1-1 draw against Brighton.
Trevoh Chalobah (£4.7m) returned early from injury to play in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool but was unable to complete the full 90 minutes. He is currently nursing the pre-existing hamstring issue but is expected to make his return to training this week.
Andreas Christensen (£4.6m) is expected to be out of isolation after testing positive for Covid last week but his fitness may prevent him from playing against Spurs. Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m) will continue to deputise for Edouard Mendy (£6.1m) in goal as Senegal progressed to the last-16 of Afcon.
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In a Covid-ravaged transfer market the world's best players hold all the power21 January, 2022Arsenal lost four first-team players when Afcon began but welcomed back Thomas Partey (£5m) after four-time winners Ghana finished last in Group C following a humiliating defeat to tournament debutants Comoros. Unfortunately, for Mikel Arteta, Partey was sent off on his comeback against Liverpool, which means he will miss Sunday’s meeting with Burnley.
Nicolas Pepe (£6.9m) and Mohamed Elneny (£4.4m) remain in Cameroon as both Ivory Coast and Egypt have qualified for the next round, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.6m) has returned to Arsenal for medical examinations after being diagnosed with heart lesions by Gabon’s medical team.
Thankfully, the 32-year-old has since confirmed that his heart is “absolutely fine” and that he is “completely healthy” in a social media post. The former Arsenal skipper has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia before the end of the transfer window.
Liverpool’s midfield options have thinned repeatedly over the past few weeks. In good news, Harvey Elliot (£5.3m) is back in training making a quick recovery from his ankle fracture dislocation. “He was out for a long time, so we cannot and will not and should not rush it, but he looked directly like he could play,” Jurgen Klopp said. “But I’m pretty sure after the international break he should be ready.”
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (£5.8m) is “hoping to make the weekend” after an ankle injury which saw him substituted after his goal in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Brentford. Thiago Alcantara (£5.3m) is expected to be in full team training after the Premier League’s winter break in preparation to face Cardiff in the FA Cup but that tie is likely to come too soon for Divock Origi (£4.8m).
Mohamed Salah (£12.7m), Sadio Mane (£11.7m) and Naby Keita (£5m) are all still at Afcon.
Tottenham have not lost in nine league games as they look to extend their form without three key players. Son Heung-min (£10.7m) is out until February following a muscular injury noticed after the Chelsea match. Cristian Romero (£4.8m) is expected to be available after the international break, but Eric Dier (£4.6m) will be available to face Chelsea.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey (£6.3m) is “stepping up his rehab” after suffering a hamstring injury although no specific return date has been mentioned. Aston Villa will have to wait longer for the return of Bertrand Traore (£5.7m) who is at Afcon with Burkina Faso.
Crystal Palace are still without Wilfred Zaha (£6.8m) as he is at Afcon with Ivory Coast but teammate Jordan Ayew (£5.8m) will return to South London after Ghana were eliminated.
Callum Wilson (£7.2m) has a calf injury and is expected to back for Newcastle at the start of March. Watford winger Ismaila Sarr (£5.8m) could not travel to Afcon after a knee injury and will not be “re-joining first team training until the end of January”.
West Ham have missed Kurt Zouma (£5.4m) during his time out with a knee injury but he is expected to return after the international break.
Said Benrahma (£5.9m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) will return to West Ham and Man City respectively after Algeria were knocked out of Afcon.
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