Chelsea are going to need to continue to heavily rotate their side tonight when they make the trip up north to take on Leeds United.
No club have made more changes than Chelsea to their starters this season, with Enzo Maresca acknowledging just how hectic the fixture schedule is about to get.
The trip to Elland Road will be the Blues’ fourth game in 11 days, and they will be back in action as soon as Saturday against Bournemouth.
Injury News ahead of the trip to Leeds…
Enzo Maresca will be without:
Levi Colwill (knee)
Dario Essugo (thigh)
Romeo Lavia (quad)
Moises Caicedo (suspended)
Levi Colwill playing for Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 Club World Cup final.
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Moises Caicedo will be absent for the Blues after his red card, however the reliance Maresca has had on him means it could be a blessing in disguise to keep him at full health.
Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato in rain
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Enzo Maresca must risk starting Jorrel Hato for Chelsea vs Leeds
Another player who is a near ever-present this season is Marc Cucurella. The last 12 months have seen him become one of the best in the world in his position.
The Spaniard is off the back of arguably the two biggest tests he can have. He faced off against Lamine Yamal and Bukayo Saka in the last two games.
The Chelsea Chronicle believe Cucurella needs a rest, and therefore Maresca should bring Jorrel Hato back into the starting side.
After signing from Ajax over the summer, the Dutchman has made six starts in all competitions for the Blues, but not featured in the Premier League since the start of October.
Hato has had his struggles this season, although they have normally come when starting at centre-back, not the position he was necessarily signed to play at Stamford Bridge.
Hato has retained the faith of Maresca despite some tricky times, and the manager can prove this by starting him against Leeds.
Enzo Maresca celebrates with Chelsea fans
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Other changes expected for Chelsea vs Leeds
With Caicedo suspended, it is expected that Andrey Santos will be handed his third Premier League start for the club in his place.
Reece James is also not set to start. He is another player who put in a big shift against Barcelona and Arsenal.
Reece James set to be benched for Leeds vs Chelsea
“The reality is no!” 😓
Enzo Maresca says Reece James will be unable to face Leeds on Wednesday following his sensational performance against Arsenal ✨ pic.twitter.com/5Bxb9EEVKa
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) November 30, 2025
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There is a chance that Cole Palmer starts for the first time since September after he was an unused substitute at the weekend, while more changes could come at the back.
The likes of Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile are waiting in the wings for another opportunity to feature.