Building fitness: Cole Palmer will be hoping to get another full 90 minutes for Chelsea against Fulham
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Chelsea could have four key players back for their west London derby against Fulham on Wednesday.
In what will be Calum McFarlane’s final match in temporary charge before new head coach Liam Rosenior officially takes the reins, the Blues are hoping that Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana and Robert Sanchez will all be available.
Cucurella has been out with a hamstring injury and was not ready to return for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City.
Sanchez was ruled out of that match due to a minor muscle injury, while Fofana woke up with a fever on the day of the game so also missed out.
But McFarlane said that all three players will be available if they make it through a final training session at Cobham on Tuesday afternoon unscathed.
Cole Palmer played his first full 90 minutes for club or country in three-and-a-half months at the Etihad Stadium and will be hoping to again get the whole game at Craven Cottage.
McFarlane waxed lyrical about the performance of half-time substitute Andrey Santos against City, but his likelihood of starting at Fulham is impacted by the fact Chelsea have Moises Caicedo returning after serving a one-match suspension.
Estevao Willian was the man to make way at half-time for Santos following a quiet first half against City.
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Chelsea cannot call on Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo or Romeo Lavia against Fulham as they continue to recover from longer-term injuries.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
Doubts: Cucurella, Sanchez, Fofana
Injured: Colwill, Essugo, Lavia
Time and date: 7:30pm GMT on Wednesday January 7, 2026
Venue: Craven Cottage, London
How to watch: Sky Sports