Chelsea injury update: Cole Palmer, Andrey Santos and Josh Acheampong latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Chelsea are dealing with a lengthy injury list heading into the October international break

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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Chelsea have gone into the second international break of the season on a positive note.

The Blues recorded a dramatic 2-1 win over reigning Premier League champions Liverpool at the weekend, thanks to a 95th minute goal from Estevao.

That result secured back-to-back wins for Chelsea following their 1-0 triumph over Benfica - now managed by Jose Mourinho - in the Champions League a few days prior.

That said, the most impressive factor about the win was it was achieved amid a injury crisis which worsened in the second half as Chelsea finished the game with a makeshift central defensive pairing of Reece James and Jorrel Hato.

Josh Acheampong

Josh Acheampong made just his second start of the season against Liverpool, but was unable to complete the full 90 minutes as he made way for Hato with just over 20 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge.

The good news, as revealed by Willy Caballero, is the 19-year-old’s substitution was just a precaution.

“The two central defenders, it was just prevention,” Cabellero told reporters.

“They made a great effort today, but just prevention. We spoke with them already and they said that they are okay, so [it is] good for us.”

Potential return date: October 18, 2025 vs Nottingham Forest (A)

Benoit Badiashile

Benoit Badiashile made his first appearance for 94 days when he started against Benfica in the Champions League.

Due to a lack of available central defenders, the Frenchman retained his place against Liverpool but limped off in the second half to raise fears the injury crisis was set to continue.

However, just like Acheampong, Badiashile is fine and should be in contention for the Forest game.

Potential return date: October 18, 2025 vs Nottingham Forest (A)

Andrey Santos

Andrey Santos was left out of the squad for the win over Benfica and missed training ahead of the tie.

In his pre-match media duties, Maresca said the Brazilian would need to be assessed before the match.

Speaking afterwards, Maresca confirmed Santos would not feature against Liverpool but did not expect the midfielder to be sidelined for too long.

“We lost Andrey Santos, who will be out until after the international break,” he said. “We have seven or eight players out. It is difficult to pick the same XI, but it is what it is. We need to adapt.”

Potential return date: October 18, 2025 vs Nottingham Forest (A)

Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer has been out of action since being forced off after just 20 minutes in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United last month as a troublesome groin injury flared up again.

Maresca later revealed that the attacking midfielder, who also starred in the Allianz Arena three days prior, wasn’t fully fit ahead of the Man United game in a decision that backfired.

Absent: Cole Palmer

Getty Images

The latest on Palmer is that a meeting is set to take place to determine the next steps.

Speaking ahead of the Liverpool game, Maresca said: “I don't have any update at the moment [on Palmer]. We have a meeting this week.”

Palmer watched on at Stamford Bridge as Liverpool were beaten over the weekend, and ventured onto the pitch at full-time to give matchwinner Estevao a hug to congratulate him for his last-gasp strike.

However, joy quickly turned to potential frustration as Palmer was bounced into by an excitable Hato, prompting a grimace from the England man, who immediately looked in discomfort before quickly embracing Hato with a smile.

Wesley Fofana

Wesley Fofana was among the various unavailable Chelsea centre-backs against Liverpool after he was concussed in a collision with Filip Jorgensen.

He was caught under his goalkeeper as he made a high claim early in a Carabao Cup win over Lincoln.

The Frenchman has to be sidelined for 12 days as he completes concussion return protocols, meaning he will return after the international break.

Potential return date: October 18, 2025 vs Nottingham Forest (A)

Tosin Adarabioyo

Adding to Chelsea’s defensive woes was Tosin Adarabioyo as he picked up a “small calf injury” in the build-up to the Brighton loss at the end of September.

The good news is that he is also due to return after the international break.

Potential return date: October 18, 2025 vs Nottingham Forest (A)

Dario Essugo

Dario Essugo has had surgery on a thigh injury he suffered on Portugal Under-21s duty earlier in the month.

The £18.5million summer signing felt a “muscle problem in his right thigh” during training, the Portuguese Football Federations revealed.

Chelsea fear Essugo will be ruled out for a minimum of 12 weeks, meaning he may not be available for selection until 2026.

A statement reads: “Midfielder Dario Essugo has undergone successful surgery today on his thigh.

“The 20-year-old sustained the injury whilst on international duty for Portugal's Under-21s.

“Medical assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action and Dario will now begin his recovery at Cobham, supported by the club's medical department.”

Potential return date: Early 2026

Liam Delap

Chelsea’s £30million summer signing pulled up while trying to chase down an early long ball against Fulham before the international break, immediately grabbing his right hamstring and receiving medical attention.

He was forced off just 15 minutes into the game and Maresca said afterwards that it was the sort of injury that usually meant six to eight weeks on the sidelines.

It has since been reported that Chelsea fear Delap could be out for longer than feared as he prepares to undergo a scan, making it very difficult indeed to predict an accurate return date at this stage.

Potential return date: Unknown

Levi Colwill

Levi Colwill was 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.

He is expected to miss most of the 2025-26 season.

A statement published on Chelsea’s official website 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.”