Chelsea defender ruled out of international squad for October fixtures
- Mauricio Pochettino has struggled with player availability during his early reign at Chelsea
- Key players Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Christpher Nkunku have been absent
- Another first-team star has been ruled out of international duty with an injury
Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has withdrawn from the France squad for their international fixtures in October due to injury.
The former Monaco star was only a late call-up himself after William Saliba, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano were all ruled out of contention for a Euro 2024 qualifier with the Netherlands and a friendly against Scotland.
Disasi featured from start to finish in Chelsea's 4-1 thumping of Burnley on Saturday but is reported to have suffered a quadriceps injury and won't play for Didier Deschamps' side during the international break.
The 25-year-old has partnered Thiago Silva in Chelsea's recent wins over Fulham and Burnley and has filled in at right-back at points so far this season.
Malo Gusto was also drafted into the France squad as cover and could make his senior Les Bleus debut, having featured for four of their youth sides.
Mauricio Pochettino has had to deal with a number of injuries during the early stages of his first season at Stamford Bridge. Romeo Lavia, Ben Chilwell, Christopher Nkunku and Wesley Fofana are all some way from recovering from their respective knocks, but there is hope Reece James and Benoit Badiashile will be fit and available when the Blues host Arsenal after the international break.
Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk have also taken blows in recent weeks but neither player is thought to be at risk of missing the clash with the Gunners.
After that London derby on 21 October, Chelsea face a tough run. After hosting Brentford and Blackburn - the latter in the Carabao Cup - Pochettino's side face Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle, Brighton and Manchester United.
The Fulham and Burnley victories have lifted the west London club up to 11th, six points off fourth-placed Liverpool and nine away from Tottenham and Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League.
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