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

Blues captain Enzo Fernandez has trained ahead of the European test

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

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Enzo Fernandez is in a race against time to be fit for Chelsea’s Champions League group phase game against Ajax on Wednesday.

But speaking on Tuesday afternoon, manager Enzo Maresca said: “Enzo took part in the session yesterday. We have one more session this afternoon.

In attack, striker Joao Pedro is suspended after he was sent off for a second bookable offence in the Blues’ last Champions League game, a home 1-0 win over Benfica three weeks ago.

In his absence, Marecsa may look to bring in Marc Guiu, who was recalled from a loan spell with Sunderland earlier this season and impressed off the bench against Forest as he stretched the hosts’ defence.

Maresca started Romeo Lavia at Forest and then replaced him with Moises Caicedo at half-time, explaining that neither was fit to play the full match, so he was managing their minutes.

There is a decision to be made in central midfield, where Andrey Santos or nominal right-back Malo Gusto, who impressed in midfield in the win against Liverpool before the international break, could feature in place of or alongside Caicedo and Lavia.

Gusto is likely to play in some capacity, given he is suspended for the Premier League game against Sunderland this weekend, after his sending off against Forest.

Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Neto, Estevao, Gittens; Guiu

Doubt: Fernandez

Injured: Palmer, Colwill, Badiashile, Delap, Essugo

Suspended: Joao Pedro

Time and date: 8pm BST on Wednesday, September 22, 2025

Venue: Stamford Bridge

TV Channel: TNT Sports