Crystal Palace boss, Roy Hodgson has admitted he feels some sympathy for Chelsea over the injury problems they have had this season.

Chelsea haven’t been without most of their first-team players for large spells this season, including names like Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Carney Ugochukwu, etc, and Hodgson believes their injuries have impacted Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for the side in some ways.

“The big thing with injury lists is what you have behind it, how much you’ve been able to strengthen the squad so that [you know] who’s going to go in in place of the player that has to come out,” the Palace boss told a press conference via cpfc.co.uk.

“But all managers, I’m sure, would like to field what they think is their best team, so when there are injuries, that is problematic for them. I have every sympathy with coaches in that area.

“It’s a part and parcel of the game and that’s why of course the top teams, who are playing European football, need these very, very big squads. Sometimes you’ll need players who would walk into many, many other teams on your bench because you play so many games.”