Chelsea dealt triple injury blow to key trio ahead of Leeds United FA Cup semi-final with star left in tears

Leeds United’s FA Cup semi-final opponents Chelsea have been dealt a triple injury blow to three star men ahead of Sunday’s Wembley showdown against the Whites.

Leeds will face historic bitter rivals Chelsea at Wembley next Sunday afternoon for a place in the FA Cup final at the end of a very busy week for both sides.

For both teams, Sunday’s contest will mark a third game in the space of nine days, Leeds back in Premier League action at Bournemouth on Wednesday evening, 24 hours after Chelsea visit Fulham on Tuesday night.

Chelsea face a particularly tight turnaround for the Fulham game having played on Saturday evening with a huge clash in the battle for a Champions League qualification spot at home to Manchester United.

The Blues suffered a 1-0 defeat as Matheus Cunha netted the only goal of the game as part of a game in which the Blues were dealt a double injury blow having already lost a key man ahead of the game.

News of a first big injury blow for the Blues emerged as the teams were announced with star striker Joao Pedro missing.

The Brazilian has suffered a thigh injury but the club hope he will return for Tuesday’s trip to Craven Cottage.

Chelsea, though, were then dealt two more injury blows in the game itself as two more star men in Estevao and regular captain Enzo Fernandez were both forced off.

“He was crying at half time; it was really devastating for him”

Eighteen-year-old Brazilian Estevao was taken off with just minutes on the clock while Fernandez also had to be withdrawn with two minutes left.

Speaking post match, boss Rosenior said he hoped that the Fernandes injury was just cramp but admitted that Estevao looks to have injured his hamstring.

As per the club’s official website, Rosenior said: “He was crying at half time; it was really devastating for him.

“It looks like it's his hamstring and that has happened in a moment when he's running through on their goal for a one-v-one chance – he pulls his hamstring in that moment. I hope Este comes back sooner rather than later.”

Of Fernandes, the Blues boss said: “I just saw him in the dressing room – I think it was his calf.

“I’m hoping it's cramp; he’s getting work on it right now because we want him, obviously, fit for Tuesday [against Brighton and Hove Albion].

“He ran himself into the ground for the club tonight and I expect nothing different from a man of his stature and quality.”

Speaking pre-match about why Joao Pedro was missing, Rosenior explained to the club’s website: “Joao felt his thigh a few days ago. He was touch and go for this one, so hopefully we'll have him back for Brighton on Tuesday.”