Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Sterling's new look, youngsters involved: Things spotted in Chelsea training before Bournemouth

In less than four days' time, Chelsea will be back in competitive football action. The Blues welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening in what is a crucial match for the hosts.

Going into the game, Chelsea are eight points adrift of fourth-place and Graham Potter knows his side will need to seriously turn their form around if they are to finish in the top four. After six-and-a-half-weeks of no club football, nobody is expecting miracles straight away from the players, but Chelsea go into the match as big favourites.

Chelsea have been putting in their final preparations ahead of the visit of the Cherries. The first-team squad took part in training at Cobham on Friday, bar a few injured or absent players.

READ MORE: Graham Potter confirms six Chelsea absentees for Bournemouth and gives N'Golo Kante return date

Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech, who took part in the third-place play-off in the World Cup for Croatia and Morocco, respectively, are not yet available to take on Bournemouth and were not pictured in training. Meanwhile, Armando Broja, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N'Golo Kante are all sidelined with injury problems.

The rest of the Chelsea squad, though, did train on Friday. So, with this being said, football.london takes a look at some things we spotted from the pictures released.

Webster gets chance

Charlie Webster, 18, was pictured in conversation with Potter at Cobham. Webster has made 10 appearances in the Premier League 2 for the Development Squad this season – scoring three goals in the process.

He has been impressing for the youth side so it's no real surprise he's been given the opportunity to showcase his talent with the senior squad. Webster will be encouraged by Potter using Lewis Hall in big games recently and Omari Hutchinson has also been in and around the first-team in previous matches.

Graham Potter and Charlie Webster in conversation in Chelsea training at Cobham (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))

Hutchinson still around

As just mentioned, Hutchinson has been handed a spot on the bench for Chelsea's previous games. The 19-year-old attacker is yet to get on the pitch for the senior side but did feature in their mid-season friendly against Aston Villa earlier in the month.

The London-born Jamaica international remains in training with the senior squad and could be given even more opportunities to be involved. With Ziyech not yet back, surely there's a spot on the bench with Hutchinson's name on it for the visit of Bournemouth?

Omari Hutchinson and Graham Potter in Chelsea training at Cobham (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Hall to be given another chance?

It's no longer a surprise that Hall is training with the first-team. After impressing massively against Manchester City and Newcastle United before the World Cup break, he is expected to be a fixture in Chelsea's squad for the foreseeable future.

The 18-year-old featured as a left wing-back in both of those games, but his natural position is in the centre of midfield. It's certainly an option for Potter to use Hall in midfield, but given how he's shone on the flank, that looks the more likely option right now.

He can be seen below battling for possession with Denis Zakaria. It's very interesting to see how Potter uses Zakaria now club football is back. Before the break, the Swiss midfielder showed glimpses of what he is capable of after being left out in the cold for so long.

Denis Zakaria and Lewis Hall battle for the ball in Chelsea training (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Sterling's new look

Ever since Raheem Sterling introduced himself to the world as a teenager at Liverpool, he has rocked countless different hairstyles. Now, Sterling has been pictured with a brand-new haircut at Chelsea training.

A video of his hair being trimmed could be seen on his Instagram page earlier this week and now he has showcased it to the world. A brand-new trim for Sterling and he will be hoping it will inspire him to hit some form in the coming games and really introduce himself to the Chelsea supporters.

Raheem Sterling shows off his new haircut (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

READ NEXT:

Thomas Tuchel has already shown Graham Potter what he must do in Chelsea vs Bournemouth

Every word Graham Potter said on Wesley Fofana, N'Golo Kante, Reece James and Bournemouth clash

Chelsea told key area Christopher Vivell will improve following technical director appointment

Todd Boehly's 2023 Chelsea vision is clear after Christopher Vivell joins new-look team

The eight January transfer decisions Chelsea must make as Todd Boehly and Graham Potter plan future

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.