Jamie Gittens was the eighth. The winger was kicked on the ankle in the 39th minute of England Under-21s’ European Championship qualifier against Kazakhstan on Friday, left the stadium on crutches in a protective boot, and was returned to Chelsea for further tests.

“Jamie got a kick on his ankle. We never take any risks. With the age of these players we don’t ever keep them in camp to see how they are. He will go back,” England Under-21s manager Lee Carsley said.

The Spaniard, who took over at Stamford Bridge on 1 July 2026, is now without a first-choice player in every line of the pitch heading into the Premier League’s return from the international break.

James, Palmer, Caicedo and Joao Pedro all sidelined

Captain Reece James has a hamstring problem picked up in the 2-2 draw with Hull. Cole Palmer withdrew from the England squad with a minor muscular issue that Chelsea are treating cautiously after last season’s groin trouble. Joao Pedro has a knee injury from the same Hull match. Moises Caicedo, whose calf has kept him to 14 minutes all season, broke down again after coming on against Brighton.

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Behind that quartet, summer signings Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha are still waiting to make their competitive debuts, and Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders picked up a quad problem on international duty.

Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, said James had tried to make himself available.

“He had a little injury in his hamstring. He tried, we waited until this morning but he couldn’t make it,” Tuchel said.

Six absentees targeted for return by 10 October

Chelsea’s medical staff have flagged the home fixture against Bournemouth on 10 October as the target return date for as many as six of the eight, with only Gittens and Penders lacking a firm timeline.

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The schedule leaves little room to phase anyone in gently. After Bournemouth at home, Chelsea travel to Everton on 17 October, host Tottenham on 24 October, play Liverpool away in the EFL Cup on 28 October and finish the month against Manchester United on 31 October.

Chelsea’s next match is at home to Bournemouth on Saturday 10 October.

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