Chelsea XI vs Napoli: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Champions League | OneFootball

Cole Palmer to return for crunch clash as Blues look to book automatic last-16 spot

Cole Palmer will return to the Chelsea squad for Wednesday’s meeting with Napoli in the Champions League.

Liam Rosenior confirmed that Palmer was in the squad for a game that Chelsea need to win and hope other results go their way if they are to finish in the top eight and secure automatic progress into the round of 16.

Fellow goalkeepers Freddy Bernal and Max Merrick have also made the travelling squad but Robert Sanchez is expected to start between the sticks in Naples.

Chelsea will again be without Tosin Adarabioyo, who came off injured against Brentford, and there is also no Dario Essugo, who is out for three weeks after an unfortunate slip in training.

Longer-term absentees Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia are also not involved, though Lavia is doing some level of training as he works his way back up to full fitness.

Chelsea are expected to go strong against Napoli, as they will avoid two extra games in a play-off round if they manage to finish in the top eight in the Champions League. Ahead of the final round of games, they sit eighth.

Rosenior can choose between Liam Delap and Joao Pedro up front and may decide to rest Sunday’s match-winner Estevao in favour of using Pedro Neto on the right flank and bringing Alejandro Garnacho into the team on the left.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Delap

Injured: Lavia, Colwill, Tosin, Essugo

Time and date: 8pm GMT on Wednesday January 28, 2026

Venue: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples

How to watch: TNT Sports