Chelsea take on Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend and just days before the Boxing Day encounter, Romelu Lukaku and Hudson-Odoi have returned to first-team training.
Romelu Lukaku and Hudson-Odoi had tested positive for COVID last week but just before the Blues head to the West Midlands, the duo have tested negative so they will be available for selection.
The two forwards were pictured in training on Thursday morning along with defender Andreas Christensen who was suffering from a back injury.
An official report at Chelsea’s official website read: “Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi both returned to Chelsea training this morning after returning negative Covid tests, whilst Andreas Christensen also returned after a recent back injury.”
Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi back in #CFC training today after the isolation periods came to an end. pic.twitter.com/J2gC70Ty67
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) December 23, 2021
Will Romelu Lukaku and co start against Aston Villa?
Lukaku and Hudson-Odoi’s availability is great news for Thomas Tuchel but we will have to wait and see if they are ready to play or not.
Christensen will not be badly needed since players like Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr are available to start alongside Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger.
Several Premier League players have taken weeks to fully recover from COVID(despite reporting back to training after 10 days) so the Blues will take a late call on the selection of Romelu Lukaku and Hudson-Odoi.
Until and unless the duo is fully ready Tuchel won’t put them back on the pitch – not at least from the first minute.
Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are still out with COVID(at the time of writing this) which means if Romelu Lukaku is not available then someone like Pulisic or Mount could lead the line.
Post-COVID fatigue has caused hindrances to several players so Hudson-Odoi and Lukaku’s selection against Aston Villa on Sunday.
