Mendy ‘optimistic’ about injury but ‘looks certain’ to miss Southampton match — report

Édouard Mendy will undergo further tests after suffering what the Senegal national team called a “right thigh” injury in training, and returning to the club as also confirmed by the Chelsea official website.

There isn’t much information available beyond that bit of vagueness at this stage, but even if the injury is minor, Mendy’s not expected to be available for Chelsea’s next match, against Southampton in eight days.

The Athletic’s Simon Johnson does specify that the injury “could actually be” a hamstring (posterior thigh injury), suffered at the very start of the training session, but Mendy himself is “optimistic” that he will be ruled out for “a maximum of just two weeks”. That would certainly be on the optimistic end of a typical light grade hamstring strain diagnosis.

Injuries are never good, but Mendy’s injury is particularly poorly timed. After a relatively light opening, Chelsea’s schedule picks up in intensity after the international break, as we begin our Champions League group stage campaign.

Hopefully the 28-year-old will indeed be back soon. Kepa Arrizabalaga or Willy Caballero will deputize until then, but that’s precisely the situation we were trying to avoid.