Chelsea could be the favourites to sign big-name player next year after laying the groundwork for a 2026 deal, with Enzo Maresca reportedly keen to bolster a key position in the squad.
Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest after return from international break
The Blues' international stars have returned from international duty to Cobham this week as Maresca prepares his side for a trip up north.
Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, and they're favourites to get one over on under-pressure manager Ange Postecoglou, who could well be sacked by Forest if the home side suffers a poor defeat.
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That being said, Maresca is currently contending with a plethora of fitness issues throughout the squad.
Enzo Fernández withdrew from international duty from Argentina due to inflammation in his right knee, with Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Reece James not even travelling to represent their countries after nursing knocks of their own.
The latter three could be fit to play Forest this weekend, but the current state of Fernandez is unknown, while both Tosin Adarabioyo and Andrey Santos haven't been spotted in training this week despite being tipped by Maresca to return after the international break.
Cole Palmer, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Levi Colwill are more long-term absentees, with the quartet certain to be unavailable. Sources are optimistic that Delap could return from his Chelsea injury before the end of the year, but Maresca faces a long wait to reintegrate the striker into his first team.
Chelsea injury worries Problem Potential return date
Enzo Fernández Knee Unknown
Cole Palmer Groin November
Andrey Santos Knock Nottingham Forest
Tosin Adarabioyo Calf Nottingham Forest
Dario Essugo Thigh Early 2026
Liam Delap Hamstring November/December
Levi Colwill ACL Spring 2026
via Standard Sport
As Chelsea's boss assesses his injury-ridden squad, BlueCo are making plans to back him with new recruits behind-the-scenes.
Chelsea favourites to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan
The West Londoners tried and failed to sign AC Milan and France number one Mike Maignan in the summer window, but the experienced shot-stopper could move to Stamford Bridge next year instead.
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The 30-year-old's deal expires at the end of this season, potentially making him one of 2026's most high-profile free agents, and reports suggest that Chelsea are ready to open talks with Maignan over a pre-contract in January.
Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who remains well-connected in the game, believes Chelsea are favourites to sign Maignan after laying most of the groundwork in the summer.
“They’ve had scouts watching him a lot and they know him pretty much chapter and verse now," Brown said.
“He’s somebody they identified as one of their top options to strengthen in goal, because that’s a position they want to prioritise at the moment. Their current options aren’t good enough and they feel they are in need of an upgrade.
“We know they tried to sign him in the summer but they couldn’t get it over the line, but they’ve already done some of the work towards bringing him in.
“They’ll have a good idea of his demands and what they can expect, and at the same time he’ll know their plans for him and where he might fit in. It’s a deal they’ve been working on, so if somebody like Bayern Munich is in for him now, I expect Chelsea will still be confident they can get it done.
“They’re ahead of any of the other interested clubs because of the work they’ve done already.”
Maignan is exactly the calibre of "elite" shot-stopper that could transform Chelsea from top four hopefuls into genuine title contenders, amid concerns surrounding the long-term suitability of Robert Sanchez.
Liverpool's number one, Alisson, has previously called him one of the best keepers in the world, and Maignan features in our specialised top 15 based on current form, role and reputation across Europe.
His vast experience competing at the highest level for years is what Chelsea sorely lack in their very young squad, with Maresca said to be keen on signing a new keeper to upgrade that area of the squad.