Chelsea: Calum McFarlane issues three-man injury update as Premier League finale doubts emerge

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Evening Standard

·19 May 2026

Chelsea: Calum McFarlane issues three-man injury update as Premier League finale doubts emerge

Blues need a win on final day if they are to qualify for Europe but may be without Joao Pedro, Levi Colwill and Reece James

Calum McFarlane says Chelsea must “wait and see” whether three players will be fit to face Sunderland in their final game of the season.

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Chelsea’s interim head coach was explaining why the club are uncertain on whether Joao Pedro, Levi Colwill or Reece James would be able to play at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Colwill and Joao Pedro were not part of the squad as the Blues beat Tottenham in their final home match of the season on Tuesday, while James was an unused substitute.

Joao Pedro was on the pitch before the match as he was presented with his Chelsea player of the season award, but he was not involved in the game after picking up a knock that is not understood to be serious.

Reece James remained on the bench as Chelsea beat Tottenham

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Colwill, meanwhile, has made only two starts and three appearances since returning from a serious knee injury that kept him out for all of the season until the beginning of the month so was being rested.

It was feared it would be too quick a turnaround for him, after he started the FA Cup final at Wembley against Manchester City on Sunday, so he was left out as part of load management.

McFarlane said: “Levi has obviously come off the back of a very serious injury. So it was probably too quick of a turnaround from the cup final.

“So that one pretty much speaks for itself. So we didn't want to risk him. We couldn't afford to risk him tonight, but that would be expected. That would have been the plan from the beginning.

“Reece is the same. We had Reece on the bench tonight, but again, coming off the back of an injury, the turnaround from the City game, the type of game that the City game was, we didn't really want to risk him in that moment.”

McFarlane added: “Joao Pedro had a slight knock, nothing that we're massively concerned about. But again, with the quick turnaround from City, it just wasn't worth risking Joao Pedro in that moment.”

Asked whether the trio would be available to face Sunderland in Chelsea's final game, McFarlane replied: "It's definitely a wait and see. We've got a little bit of time from now until then. So we're hopeful, but we won't know that until the next couple of days, see how the next couple of days unfold."