Evening Standard
·29. September 2025
Chelsea: Enzo Maresca reveals Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro injury latest ahead of Champions League clash

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·29. September 2025
Blues are already without several key players for Tuesday night’s Champions League tie
Chelsea are sweating on the fitness of Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Benfica.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca revealed on Monday lunchtime that the trio have “small problems” and they will be assessed to see if they can face Benfica.
Chelsea have been hit hard by injuries this season, with defender Levi Colwill suffering a serious knee injury on the eve of the campaign.
Cole Palmer, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana are all currently on the sidelines, too.
“We need to maintain the level, for sure, because the Champions League requires a high level,” said Maresca.
“As you said in this moment we have, unfortunately, many players out with injury.
“This afternoon we are going to assess Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos. They are all players, unfortunately for us, with some small problems.
“So, we will see tomorrow if they are going to be available. For sure, in this moment, we have injuries, but I think we have enough in the squad to replace the injuries that we have.”
Doubtful: Moises Caicedo
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Chelsea are desperate to claim all three points against Benfica after losing their opening game in the Champions League to Bayern Munich.
The Portuguese side are now coached by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who was placed in charge earlier this month.
Maresca has said it will be a “privilege” to take on Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, where he is revered as one of the club’s greatest managers.
“He is legend for this club, not only for this club but for different clubs,” said Maresca.
“It’s probably a little bit more difficult [to prepare] and the reason why is because they just played I think three or four games with Jose.
He is legend for this club, not only for this club but for different clubs
Enzo Maresca on Jose Mourinho
“All the teams that I started to watch unfortunately were with the former manager. I watched three or four games with Jose.
“I watched also some games where Jose was with Man Utd or Spurs or Roma in Italy. But for sure it will be a completely different game compared to the Club World Cup game.
“We make sure or we try at least to prepare every game to win the game and hopefully we can do that tomorrow.”
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