Liam Rosenior reveals major Chelsea injury blow after FA Cup triumph as absence explained

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Chelsea have been dealt a major injury setback ahead of their clash against Manchester City next weekend.

Liam Rosenior has provided an update on Jamie Gittens. The 21-year-old winger, whom Chelsea signed from Borussia Dortmund for an initial £48.5m in July 2025, suffered a hamstring injury during the first half of the Blues win over West Ham back in January, and he hasn't featured since.

Gittens encountered a setback in his recovery ahead of the defeat to Newcastle United last month. The Englishman had aggravated the muscle problem in training, ruling him out until after the March international break.

Then, speaking to reporters at Cobham on Friday morning, the Chelsea boss announced that Gittens had returned to action, which he had described as 'really positive'. Following the west Londoners' victory against Port Vale on Saturday night, Rosenior was quizzed on the forward's absence from the matchday squad.

The 41-year-old revealed that Gittens had suffered another hamstring injury, subject to further medical assessment. He said: "Unfortunately, Jamie in training yesterday picked up what looks like another hamstring injury.

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"We need to scan him and make sure he's okay," added Rosenior. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen was named on the bench in place of Gittens and made his senior debut, coming on for Romeo Lavia in the final minutes of the tie.

"I'm so happy for Ryan," said the Chelsea gaffer. "I had the pleasure of watching him in the FA Youth Cup game maybe six weeks ago. It was a fantastic moment for our academy, a traditionally fantastic academy."

Reflecting on the 7-0 win, Rosenior said: "I was very happy with the application and intensity levels from the team. Some of the goals we scored, and the play was good."

He continued: "Every manager will tell you when the final whistle comes, that's the relief. It's been a really important week in terms of my staff and the club. When we go through a difficult period like we did, you come out of it stronger.

"I think we can still have an outstanding season. There's been a lot of talk about experience, it can make us stronger even if in the moment it's painful."

Cole Palmer donned the captain's armband this weekend, becoming the 114th player to do so in the club's history. Rosenior said: "It's a natural step for Cole and where he is in his career.

"Cole is so brave, he'll take the ball on the pitch and if he makes a mistake, he'll take it again. That's what I want."

The Chelsea boss added: "You lead in different ways. Cole is a player in big moments who can win you games. Cole and Joao today, they're tracking back and defending. Cole led by example."