It has emerged that Chelsea could be without one of their key players when they return to Premier League action on Saturday.
The Blues will face struggling Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, however may be missing Enzo Fernandez after he departed the Argentina camp due to an injury.
Fernandez enjoyed a ‘magic’ display for his country against Venezuela, however suffered discomfort in his knee and has now returned to Chelsea to undergo treatment.
Despite there being no confirmation on the severity of his injury, one thing that is for sure is that Enzo Maresca is going to have a plan in mind to make necessary adjustments if he needs to.
Opportunities could arise for some other players, and The Chelsea Chronicle have named three individuals who could benefit from the absence of Fernandez if he is to miss some games.
Argentina Training Session
Photo by Gustavo Pagano/Getty Images
Three Chelsea players who could benefit from Enzo Fernandez’s injury
Romeo Lavia
Perhaps the most obvious inclusion on this list, Romeo Lavia finally returned with a meaningful cameo off the bench during the win over Liverpool.
The midfielder has had a torrid time of things with injuries, but many believe would be in Chelsea’s best possible side when fit, and another recovery period during the international break will only benefit him.
Jason Cundy has real faith in a Lavia and Moises Caicedo partnership, and that could be on display for the first time this season against Forest.
Andrey Santos playing for Chelsea against Manchester United in the Premier League.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
Andrey Santos
Maresca said that Andrey Santos would return after the international break, with him not fit enough to feature for Brazil alongside Estevao Willian.
After starring for Strasbourg for a season and a half, the midfielder has enjoyed a strong start to life at Stamford Bridge, despite immense competition for his place in the side.
With there no guarantees over Lavia’s fitness, Santos could take the opportunity to prove to Maresca that he should be given more starts going forwards.
Samuel Rak-Sakyi
Samuel Rak-Sakyi impressed in his first season as a Chelsea first team star, making four appearances in the Conference League last season.
However, he is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League for the Blues, although could see himself closer to the action if Fernandez is absent for a prolonged period of time.
The Blues have an EFL Cup tie against Wolves later this month, which could be the best possible game for him to make an impression on the boss.