Ziyech, Hudson-Odoi could be fit for Boxing Day match against Arsenal

We could all use a bit of good news after last night’s defeat, our second in just as many matches, so here is Frank Lampard with a (semi-)positive injury update on Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

“Hakim and Callum will hopefully be training by the end of the week. Whether they are fit or not for West Ham, I’m not sure.”

-Frank Lampard; source: Football.London

Chelsea’s next game, at home against West Ham, is in five days, after which we get another five days before taking on Arsenal at the Emirates on Boxing Day. Should Ziyech and/or CHO return to training by the end of this week, they would surely be ready to play by the end of next and hopefully bring us a nice late Christmas present of three points against our struggling London rivals.

While Christian Pulisic is now back and (hopefully) fit for good, our lack of proper wingers and wide-men has been exposed recently and has been a major contributing factor to our now three-match winless streak (1 draw, 2 losses).

In Hakim Ziyech’s 7 starts, we’ve scored 19 goals. Since his injury, we’ve scored 2 in 3. Meanwhile, Hudson-Odoi is the only first-team regular or semi-regular other than César Azpilicueta to have not featured in any losses this season (not counting the penalty shootout against Spurs in the League Cup). Getting them back would be a more than welcome boost.

But first, we’ll have to get a win against West Ham on Monday...