The latest Chelsea injury news - with updates on Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer, João Pedro, Moisés Caicedo and more.
Chelsea return to Premier League action this Saturday when they face Ange Postecoglou’s struggling Nottingham Forest side in the early kick-off – but Enzo Maresca may have to make do without a string of first-team players as injuries bite.
Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, João Pedro and Reece James were all ruled out of international duty due to fitness issues, while key playmaker Cole Palmer is set for an extended spell on the sidelines. In total, 12 players are either out, doubts or carrying knocks ahead of the weekend’s games.
We’ve got the latest Chelsea injury news below with updates on all of the stricken players at Stamford Bridge as well as their expected return dates when available.
Enzo Fernández becomes Chelsea’s biggest injury concern after internationals
This was a worrying international break for Chelsea fans, with the biggest concern coming when midfielder Fernández was forced from the field with an injury late on during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Venezuela.
The 24-year-old was suffering with inflammation around his knee and was sent home over the weekend as a result. The severity of the injury has not yet been made public, and it remains unclear whether Fernández will miss any time as a result.
Reece James was also forced to withdraw from England duty due to an unspecified knock, apparently sustained during the defeat of Liverpool last week. It is not believed to be a significant issue and James’ return to Cobham appears to have been largely precautionary. He is a minor doubt for the Nottingham Forest match and should not miss an extended period.
Two more key players who we now know to be carrying minor injuries are Caicedo and summer signing João Pedro, neither of whom were selected for their countries this past week to allow them to rest due to ongoing fitness issues. That rest should, at least, be sufficient, and both are expected to be able to play on Saturday if required.
How long is Cole Palmer out for?
While Chelsea fans sweat waiting for updates on Fernández’s condition, they will also have to process the news that star attacking midfielder Palmer will miss another month or more due to a groin injury that Maresca has described as “chronic.”
Palmer is slated to return in late November after the next international break, meaning that he could be back in the fold for the away game against Burnley on 22 November if all goes according to plan.
That’s also the most optimistic target for striker Liam Delap’s return, with journalist Simon Phillips stating this week that the summer signing’s recovery was going well and that he could be back in light training in a fortnight’s time. More pessimistic stories, however, suggest that he may not play again until 2026.
There is, at least, good news in the defence. Three players who were carrying injuries into the break – Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile – are all expected to be available to face Nottingham Forest after recovering over the past week. Midfielder Andrey Santos, who also had a knock, will hopefully be available as well.
Those who will be out for longer include Levi Colwill (ACL), who may not play this season after undergoing surgery, and Dário Essugo (thigh) who is expected back in January after a training injury sustained during the last international break.
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