Chelsea will be looking to pick up from where they left off when they face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon, and Enzo Maresca could welcome back some key players
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between FC Bayern München and Chelsea FC at Football Arena Munich on September 17, 2025 in Munich, Germany
Cole Palmer will be hoping to return to action soon(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Enzo Maresca could welcome some big names back to the Chelsea squad this weekend. The Blues will be eager to extend their winning streak when they face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea stormed past Liverpool at Stamford Bridge before the international break, with Estevao Willian scoring a last-minute winner. Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou will be hoping to secure his first win.
The former Tottenham Hotspur manager has failed to win any of his first seven games in charge of Forest, recording five losses and two draws. Unfortunately for Evangelos Marinakis, Postecoglou doesn't have a particularly impressive track record against the west Londoners.
Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez had to withdraw from the Argentina squad late last week due to inflammation in his right knee. The 24-year-old midfielder returned to Cobham shortly after playing 78 minutes in a 1-0 friendly defeat against Venezuela.
Reece James
James was forced to pull out of the England squad due to injury, missing matches against Wales and Latvia. It's believed that the decision was precautionary and that it's not a serious injury.
Moises Caicedo
Caicedo was absent from Ecuador's friendlies against the United States and Mexico this month. The 23-year-old midfielder has been carrying an injury, prompting his national team boss, Sebastian Beccacece, to allow him to rest during the international break.
Benoit Badiashile
Badiashile was substituted during Chelsea's victory over Liverpool before the international break. Willy Caballero offered an update on the 24-year-old defender following the match, suggesting his substitution was merely precautionary.
Josh Acheampong
Acheampong also hobbled off during Chelsea's victory over Liverpool, though he secured some playing time during the international break. The 19-year-old defender featured for 78 minutes at left-back in England Under-21s' 4-0 triumph over Moldova.
Joao Pedro
Pedro had been carrying a knock in the weeks leading up to the October international break, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to give him some time off. The 24-year-old striker wasn't selected for Brazil's Asian tour, allowing him a fortnight to recover in west London.
Andrey Santos
Santos was similarly omitted from Brazil's squad this month after struggling with a minor thigh complaint. The 21-year-old midfielder was also afforded the opportunity to rest and recuperate.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Tosin picked up a minor calf problem before Chelsea's victory over Liverpool. Speaking to journalists, Maresca confirmed that the 28-year-old defender would be sidelined until the October international break.
Cole Palmer
Last month, Palmer was forced to withdraw during the first half of Chelsea's encounter with Manchester United due to a groin injury. The 23-year-old midfielder has been absent from each of the Blues' previous four matches in all competitions.
He was subsequently ruled out of England's recent matches against Wales and Latvia. Thomas Tuchel warned Palmer that his injury could become 'chronic' if not properly treated.
"No, I don't think he needs surgery. It's just a matter of managing his pain and his groin. The amount of games is something that can happen. So this is the reason why we try to be conservative with him to give him rest, and hopefully he can be 100% fit after the international break."
Liam Delap
Delap picked up a hamstring problem during Chelsea's 2-0 triumph over Fulham just before the previous international break. Thankfully, the 22-year-old forward, whom the Blues brought in from Ipswich Town for £30m during the summer, did not need an operation on the issue.
Dario Essugo
Essugo sustained a thigh problem during the September international break. The club confirmed that the Portugal Under-21 midfielder, who Chelsea brought in from Sporting CP this summer, went under the knife and has been placed on a rehabilitation programme at Cobham training ground.
Levi Colwill
Colwill sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the beginning of pre-season. Maresca will be desperate to have the 22-year-old defender back, but the Chelsea manager won't to rush him back and risk worsening the problem.
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