Enzo Maresca will be missing a number of first team players for Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Ajax, and could look to the academy to fill some gaps in the squad.
Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill remain out of contention, and while Liam Delap is closing in on a return to training he is still out for now.
Maresca confirmed Enzo Fernandez had trained again, however refused to confirm that he would be ready to line up at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
With Premier League games coming thick and fast, there will be an appetite for the boss to rotate wherever possible. He rested Moises Caicedo for the first half of their win over Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3
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Reggie Walsh and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli in first team training ahead of Chelsea vs Ajax
There are a number of youngsters continuing to knock on the door of the first team too. Reggie Walsh and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli have been among the top performers this season.
Journalist Nizaar Kinsella confirmed the pair were involved in the final training session that the first team took part in before they take on Ajax, in a game where they could really do with picking up all three points.
🚨Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Reggie Walsh are training with the first team ahead of Ajax.
Slight injury doubts Wesley Fofana and Enzo Fernandez are also involved. pic.twitter.com/UPEwYA3Xxw
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 21, 2025
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Defeat in their opening game of the competition against Bayern Munich immediately put them on the back foot in Europe, however they did steady the ship somewhat with a narrow win over Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
Walsh features in the centre of midfield, while Nicoll-Jazuli operates in defensive midfield. Both could be utilised in place of Fernandez.
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Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Walsh ready to build on exciting Chelsea start
Maresca used the Conference League last season to hand out debuts to a number of youngsters at the club, with Walsh one of those who benefitted.
Walsh was praised by Swedish media after his performance against Djurgarden, and he has remained in the manager’s thinking in the new season too.
The 17-year-old was seen during Chelsea’s win over Lincoln in the League Cup, a competition where he could feature again with the trip to Wolves next week.