Chelsea Manager Pochettino broke down in tears as he will be without 12 key Chelsea players due to Injuries to face Crystal Palace

Chelsea will be missing Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling for their Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Both forward players were issued their fifth yellow card of the season in the second half of the Christmas Eve loss to Wolves and will now face a one-match suspension.

Palmer was booked after kicking the ball away in fury after a ruling went against him. Meanwhile, Sterling received a yellow card for diving and will be ineligible for Sunday’s game against the Eagles.

Lesley Ugochukwu made his comeback from injury, but the young Frenchman was taken off in the second period at Molineux with what appears to be another muscular ailment. We do not yet know the degree of Ugochukwu’s injury, but he will almost surely miss Wednesday’s game.

According to football.london, Moises Caicedo was sick for the trip to the West Midlands and did not travel with the rest of the squad. Enzo Fernandez was also absent from the game owing to sickness, but he was there in the spectators at Molineux.

Ben Chilwell is on his way back, but he won’t be fit for the game against Palace. Similarly, Robert Sanchez is getting closer, but the Spanish custodian will miss the match at Stamford Bridge.

Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, and Reece James are all long-term absentees. Mauricio Pochettino’s squad will be strained once more, as Chelsea’s game against Palace is the second in a six-day period during a tight Christmas match schedule.

Chelsea were incredibly wasteful in their loss to Wolves. The Blues had numerous chances to go up in the first half but failed to capitalise, and were punished by the hosts in the second.

“We feel very disappointed because I think we deserve much more,” Pochettino stated after the game to Sky Sports. “When you are not clinical enough, this competition will wound you.” We generated opportunities. That is why it is so depressing. We gave up after a few turns since it was so difficult.

“At the start of the season, we talked a lot. We are both young. It is a youthful group. We have guys playing in the league for the first time. They must adjust. It is about trust and excellence.

“If we want to win the games, we need to score.” We are quite disappointed. If we can’t score, we have to keep a clean sheet. We cut too many corners.”