Chelsea Faces Injury Challenges Ahead of Ajax Clash
As Chelsea gears up for their exciting Champions League showdown against Ajax at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, there’s a bit of concern about their squad health. Let’s take a look at the injury and suspension list so you know what to expect.
Coming off a brilliant 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest, the Blues are riding high on a string of three consecutive wins across all competitions. However, not everything is smooth sailing. Head coach Enzo Maresca was stuck watching from the stands during that match due to a touchline ban, but his absence didn’t stop the team from delivering a strong performance.
Unfortunately, this season has been a rollercoaster for Chelsea when it comes to discipline. They’ve had players sent off in four of their last six matches, including Malo Gusto, who received a red card on Saturday. While Gusto’s suspension won’t affect the upcoming clash with Ajax, Chelsea still has some gaps to fill in their attacking lineup.
Now, let’s dive into who’s sidelined and what the team might be facing:
Out Injuries
-
Cole Palmer
Originally, there was hope that the young star might make a speedy recovery from a groin injury. However, just before the Nottingham Forest match, Maresca admitted that the timeline was off. Palmer will likely be out for another six weeks, projecting a return possibly in late November. -
Liam Delap
In a tough break, Delap suffered a hamstring injury during a match against Fulham back on August 30. He won’t be available for the Ajax match, and he’s expected to be out until December. -
Benoit Badiashile
Just when it seemed like Badiashile was back in action after a long-term muscle issue, he faced another setback. Unfortunately, he’s confirmed to be out until December again with a recurrence of that muscle injury. -
Levi Colwill
Colwill is still recovering from knee surgery that took place in early August and looks unlikely to make a return until well into the latter part of the season. -
Dario Essugo
Essugo underwent surgery after sustaining a thigh injury during international duty with Portugal’s Under-21 team. He’s not expected to be back in action until the new year.
Major Doubt
- Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez has been under the weather, returning from international duty with a knee issue that kept him out of the Forest game. Maresca has labeled it a “small issue,” but there’s still uncertainty as to whether he’ll be fit to take on Ajax.
Suspension Alert
- Joao Pedro
Last but not least, Joao Pedro will be sitting out the Ajax match due to a suspension from picking up a second yellow card against Benfica.
With such a challenging lineup of injuries and suspensions, Maresca will have to be creative in how he sets up the team for this crucial Champions League match. Chelsea has shown resilience before; fans will just have to hope for another strong display, even with the hurdles they’re facing. So, as the Blues prepare to take on Ajax, let’s keep our fingers crossed for a great game and a few more points on the board!
About the Author
