EPL RETURNS, LUKAKU, RUDIGER, AND PULISIC A DOUBT AS CHELSEA FACES A TRICKY BRENTFORD AWAY

The English Premier League will resume this Saturday after the international break with Chelsea facing an away tricky fixture to newcomers Brentford but have several injury concerns with their top players.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez revealed that Lukaku had to leave the Belgium squad due to a muscle problem.

“Romelu Lukaku is suffering from muscle fatigue, same as Eden Hazard,” he said.

“They’re not in best conditions to play. They’re leaving the national team camp due to these problems – I don’t know how long it will take.”

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel also added that “Romelu is suffering from muscle overload. I don’t know how long it will take to recover.

Chelsea entered the October break with a 3-1 win over Southampton with Reece James, N’Golo Kante, and Christian Pulisic all missing.

And now it seems as if Romelu Lukaku may have joined the absentees after he was withdrawn from the Belgium squad following an injury.

The former Inter Milan striker was forced to sit out the Nations League third and fourth play-off against Italy on Sunday.

However, there is more positive news on both Kante and James after the pair returned to training at the Blues’ Cobham base.

Antonio Rudiger missed Germany’s World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia with back problems.

But German coach Hansi Flick allayed any injury fears despite the defender also sitting out the final training session before that game.

Lastly, Pulisic remains a doubt for this weekend’s clash against Brentford with the same ankle issue that kept him out of the USA’s squad this week.

Chelsea top the log with 16 points after seven games, having won five, tied one, and lost one.

Newcomers Brentford has 12 points and is seventh place on the log with only a loss after seven games. They have at least proved to be a hard nut to crack after winning three and drawing the other three.

Now the world awaits to see if Chelsea will open the gap and increase their points or Brentford will pull another surprise and increase their tally.

By |Shadrack Andenga Odinga

Shadrackandenga@gmail.com