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

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Evening Standard

·24 November 2025

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

Cole Palmer still out as Estevao Willian pushes for start in blockbuster clash at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea will again be without Cole Palmer for their high-profile Champions League showdown against Barcelona.

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The England attacker had been close to returning after two months out with the persistent groin injury that has plagued him all season, only to sustain a fractured little toe on his left foot after stubbing it on a door in an accident at home last week.

Palmer has been working with a specially adapted boot that includes more cushion to try and protect the toe and hasten his comeback, though he won’t be ready to face Barcelona and remains a doubt for Sunday’s clash with leaders Arsenal in the Premier League.

Chelsea made it through Saturday’s 2-0 win against Burnley without picking up any fresh injuries as Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto and Benoit Badiashile were all passed fit.

Head coach Enzo Maresca was able to manage the workloads of Reece James and Joao Pedro, with the right-back only playing 45 minutes at Turf Moor and the Brazilian forward substituted in the second half.

Moises Caicedo is expected to return to the side after being left on the bench throughout against Burnley following his international exertions with Ecuador. It was the first time that the midfielder had not featured in a Premier League game under Maresca.

Caicedo’s return will likely see Andrey Santos moved back to the bench on Tuesday night.

Estevao Willian was an unused substitute at the weekend and is pushing to start against Barcelona following his sparkling form for club and country in recent weeks. Alejandro Garnacho is fresh having not gone away with Argentina this month.

There is a decision to be made over who plays at centre-back, where Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah started at Turf Moor. Wesley Fofana was left out altogether to manage his body and mitigate the risk of any new injuries.

Maresca could play Joao Pedro up front or else keep faith with Liam Delap and utilise Joao Pedro once again as a No10.

Dario Essugo, Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia are all out with longer-term injuries.

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

Injured: Palmer, Essugo, Colwill, Lavia

Time and date: 8pm GMT on Tuesday November 25, 2025

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