THE BIGGER PICTURE

As many as 16 first-team players have been out injured for a combined total of 1,413 days missed, according to data specialist OLBG, and the club have spent exactly £27,690,714.29 in wages paid to those players. That is more than any other team in the Premier League has spent on wages to injured stars so far this season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Manchester United are the next team to have paid big sums to sidelined stars, having handed over almost £20m ($25m) to 17 players. Manchester City have had just nine players out for a total of 357 days, meaning they have paid over £15m ($19m) and Tottenham, with 19 players absent for 1,060 days, have paid £11m ($14m) to their injured stars.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Mauricio Pochettino will hope to have the likes of James, Nkunku and Lavia back fit before long as his team look to challenge for a place in European competition next season. The London team are currently ninth in the Premier League and 12 points behind a place in the top four.