Injuries have hit the Chelsea squad hard ahead of their trip to Anfield this weekend, leading to Calum McFarlane looking to the academy to bolster out his first team.
The Blues are desperate to put an end to a nightmare run of six consecutive defeats in the Premier League, with Joao Pedro’s stunning bicycle kick their only goal in that time.
After long-term injuries to Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens, they have been joined on the treatment table by Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho.
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Calum McFarlane calls Tayo Subuloye up to Chelsea first team training
There are concerns at the back too. Levi Colwill made his first appearance of the season against Nottingham Forest, but the club will want to be so careful with him with the future in mind.
This may be the reason behind Tayo Subuloye being added to first team training by McFarlane before the clash with Liverpool, shown by an Instagram story from goalkeeper James Hillson.
Chelsea Training Session and Press Conference
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In fact, the 18-year-old was on the winning team in the club’s weekly competition in training. He was joined there by the likes of Reece James, Enzo Fernandez and Liam Delap.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah had a tough time at centre-back against Forest, so it is easy to see why the interim boss is keen to look at other options at centre-back.
McFarlane has made it clear he is prepared to hand youngsters a chance in his short time in charge. Jesse Derry started in their last game before being forced off with a head injury after winning a penalty.
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Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are both 'unlikely' to feature 😬
Chelsea predicted XI to face Liverpool
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Tayo Subuloye’s 2025/26 season
After coming through the Chelsea academy, Subuloye has become a regular for the Chelsea U18s this season.
Featuring as a centre-back, he has made 34 appearances in all competitions, starring in the U18 Premier League title-winning side.
He has also made the step up to the U21s on five different occasions, notably being sent off in a heavy defeat to West Ham.
It was always a risk for McFarlane to utilise Colwill as soon as he returned to the squad, and the fact Subuloye is left footed suggests they could be thinking twice about using him against Liverpool.
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