Chelsea could have to go into their next Premier League game without one player who has started every match so far this season.
Enzo Fernandez has left the Argentina camp to return to Stamford Bridge, with there now concern that he will not be fit enough to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The likes of Romeo Lavia are waiting in the wings to replace Fernandez, however the Blues are going to need a different plan when they return to action, compared to what Enzo Maresca constructed last time he returned from the international break absent.
Fernandez was unavailable to face Bournemouth last season, and the boss started Renato Veiga for the first time, in the unusual position of central midfield.
Enzo Fernandez reacts after picking up an injury during Chelsea vs Aston Villa
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The Portugal international started alongside Moises Caicedo in the absence of Lavia, despite being signed originally to provide cover and competition for Marc Cucurella at left-back.
The game was the youngster’s first start for the club in the Premier League, and the Blues were under the cosh for much of the game, relying on a Robert Sanchez penalty save to keep the scores level.
It was Maresca’s second half substitutions which changed the outcome of the game, as Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku combined off the bench for the only goal of the game.
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Veiga featured for 90 minutes and grew into a game where he was booked for his celebrations after Nkunku had scored the winner with minutes to go.
AFC Bournemouth v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Bournemouth vs Chelsea broke a Premier League record
The Portuguese star was certainly not the only player to be booked, with 14 players in total being given yellow cards throughout the game by Anthony Taylor.
This broke the record for most bookings in a single Premier League game, topping the amount handed out in the iconic ‘Battle of the Bridge’ between Chelsea and Tottenham.
Maresca will need a different trick up his sleeve if Fernandez is not available for Saturday, however Lavia’s return from injury may have come at the best possible time for him.
Jason Cundy has predicted a strong partnership between Lavia and Moises Caicedo, which could be on display for the first time this season at the City Ground.