Enzo Maresca will be without Estevao when Chelsea face Newcastle United on Saturday.placeholder image
Enzo Maresca will be without Estevao when Chelsea face Newcastle United on Saturday. | Getty Images
Newcastle United news: Enzo Maresca has been dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Chelsea have revealed that Estevao Willian will not feature at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
The young Brazilian was a surprising omission from Enzo Maresca’s matchday squad for their win over Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. The Blues were given a fright by the League One leaders and headed into the final ten minutes of the match level with the Welsh side.
However, late strikes from Pedro Neto and one from Alejandro Garnacho in added-time, the Argentina international’s second of the game, sealed a 3-1 win. That win secured Chelsea their second appearance in a Carabao Cup semi-final line-up in three seasons having reached the final in 2024, only to fall to Liverpool at Wembley.
All midweek focus was on the League Cup, but attention at the weekend turns back to the Premier League and a huge game on Tyneside. Chelsea head to the north east sat fourth in the table whilst Newcastle United lie eight spaces below them in 12th.
However, such is the extremely tight nature of the league this season, Newcastle United could end the day just three points behind their visitors if they record a win. And their task against Maresca's side has been made slightly easier following news that Estevao won’t take part in the game.
A statement released by Chelsea revealed the reasons for the Brazilian’s absence in south Wales on Tuesday night. Quoting Maresca’s comments, that statement read: 'Estevao has a small muscular problem, a light injury.
‘He won’t be available for Newcastle but we will see for the next one. I think he can be available for the next one.'
Whilst missing a player of Estevao’s quality may hurt a lot of teams, and undoubtedly will impact Chelsea on Saturday, their strength in depth means that there are a plethora of options that Maresca can call upon to replace him. Jamie Gittens, Facundo Buonanotte and Tyrique George supported Marc Guiu from the off on Tuesday whilst Maresca rested the likes of Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer.
Chelsea injury news v Newcastle United
The Blues do have some other injury concerns to deal with this weekend and will be without the services of Liam Delap. Delap, a summer target for the Magpies before he instead opted to move to the capital, has a shoulder injury and is unlikely to feature before the new year.
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The former Ipswich Town man has yet to score a Premier League goal for the Blues following his move from Portman Road in the summer and has just two strikes, one apiece in the Champions League and Club World Cup, to his name in a Chelsea player shirt.
Elsewhere, Chelsea will also be without Levi Colwill who has been ruled-out of the entire season after suffering an ACL injury in August. Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia will also not make the squad for their trip to St James’ Park with the pair being ruled-out due to thigh injuries. Mykhailo Mudryk is also not eligible to play as he continues to serve a ban.
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