Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says both Mykhailo Mudryk and Armando Broja should be fit to face Burnley despite being forced off against Fulham with injury issues.
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The Blues picked up just their second win of the Premier League season as they saw off their west London neighbours at Craven Cottage on Monday night in a 2-0 win, with Mudryk and Broja both getting on the scoresheet in the first half.
It was the Ukrainian who opened the scoring, collecting Levi Colwill’s clipped pass and firing under the legs of Bernd Leno to finally bag his first goal for Chelsea.
Barely 20 seconds after the restart the visitors had a second goal, with Cole Palmer intercepting a poor pass from Tim Ream and slipping in Broja, who enjoyed a touch of fortune as Ream’s attempted tackle ricocheted in.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, Mudryk did not return to the pitch for the second half while Broja – who was making his first start since December – pulled up and looked in discomfort as he was subbed off in the 65th minute.
Pochettino has played down concerns about the pair, however, and says they only have minor issues that should not prevent them from taking part in Saturday’s trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley.
Asked about the importance of Mudryk finally scoring, Pochettino told Sky Sports after the game: ‘Yes it’s important. I think it’s always important for the offensive players to score goals and it’s the first for him.
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‘He was doing well, unlucky in half-time that he felt something in his quad but hopefully it is not a big issue and he will be ready for Saturday.
‘But I think for Broja also after a big period outside it’s important for him [to score]. So I’m happy for both and hopefully they can recover for the weekend.’
Moises Caicedo also appeared to pick up a knock to his knee deep in stoppage time, though joined the rest of the squad as they applauded the away fans after the match, and Pochettino says the club cannot get bogged down by their injury crisis.
He continued: ‘When you have so many injuries like us the results can be affected. Of course for us also it’s affected but I think we try not to put that as an excuse.
‘We tried to make the people believe, and everyone is important in the squad, but I think the moment we are complete and we have all players ready and fit, I think we are going to be so competitive.
‘It’s an amazing squad and very talented, it’s only a matter of time. But it’s so important for us to feel the victory and the three points to build our confidence for the next week.’
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