London Standard
Chelsea Football Newsletter
The Blues were second-best on the day at Stamford Bridge, and perhaps a tad lucky to escape with a point after Eberechi Eze’s free kick was disallowed by VAR in the first half.
Enzo Maresca is now facing another defensive headache ahead of their second game of the season, coming this Friday away at West Ham
Tosin Adarabioyo
Chelsea were hit with a fresh injury blow on the eve of their season-opener against Crystal Palace after Tosin Adarabioyo picked up an injury in training.
It was a blow for Enzo Maresca, who has already lost first-choice centre-back Levi Colwill for much of the season, and spoke highly of Tosin at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Explaining Tosin’s absence before the game on Sunday, Maresca said: "There is a small injury, he needs some days off, then we will see for the next game."
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But it was less positive after the match, with Maresca adding: “He had a physical problem. “We don’t know for how long [he will be out].”
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Romeo Lavia
Romeo Lavia has not featured for Chelsea since completing 85 minutes in a round of 16 win over Benfica at the Club World Cup.
He suffered a ‘small muscle problem’ between that match and the quarter-final win over Palmeiras, and has not been pictured in training since.
Benoit Badiashile
Chelsea’s defensive injuries were compounded when Benoit Badiashile picked up a knock in their Club World Cup win over Benfica.
The Frenchman was not in the squad for either of Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies last week, but is thought to be in individual training at Chelsea’s Cobham training base.
Levi Colwill
Levi Colwill appears to be the first victim of Chelsea’s hectic 2025 schedule.
After impressing at the Club World Cup, he picked up an ACL injury in training after returning from a brief summer break and has since undergone surgery.
A statement published on Chelsea’s official website on Thursday read: “Defender Levi Colwill has today undergone successful surgery to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“Levi will now begin his recovery and be supported by the club's medical department at Cobham during his rehabilitation phase.”