Chelsea injury news: Willian gives Blues boost, Alexandre Pato needs time to adjust

The FA Cup might have lost its romance, respect or whatever else, but winning it will paper over a lot of cracks.

Arsenal have benefited in recent years and snoozing dinosaurs Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea would happily dust the cobwebs from the trophy cabinet doors.

No team has a better record over the last decade than Chelsea and so far the draw has been very kind. Scunthorpe United at home, then MK Dons away were plum ties, although both prompted full strength teams. Another Wembley win for Chelsea – and Guus Hiddink, who has already lifted the trophy on interim duty back in 2009,  would go a long way to scrubbing this annus horribilis from the record.

However, hosting Manchester City in the fifth round was not in the script, especially as tie falls just a few days after their Champions League appointment with Paris Saint-Germain. It still remains the most realistic route to silverware this season, however.

No major worry for Willian

Chelsea’s soon to be player of the season, Willian, will be assessed after ‘someone stepped on his foot.’

A slightly concerned Hiddink told to the press post-match on Sunday that he hoped it would not be too serious.

‘I asked him and he said it is no big worries,’ he said. ‘But we have to see in the upcoming time because we are playing a lot of games and I hope he will recover in two days.’

Pato no gamble

Alexandre Pato arrives at Stamford Bridge on-loan to help ease the increasing burden on striker Diego Costa. The 27-year-old has been asked to play through the pain-barrier this term as Loic Remy struggles to overcome a persistent calf complaint and Radamel Falcao recovers from a ‘significant’ muscular strain following a setback in January.

However, Pato needs time ‘to settle’ and adjust to the rigours of a ‘very demanding league.’ The Brazilian ‘is likely to need more work on his physical condition before he can take part in games,’ Hiddink revealed.

Chelsea injury news

Radamel Falcao
Injury: Muscular Strain
Estimated return date: Progressing. February.

Loic Remy
Injury: Calf Strain.
Estimated return date: Minor. Assessed this week.

Willian
Injury: Foot Injury.
Estimated return date: Hopeful for Wednesday.