Predicted XI: Injuries bring Chelsea to just 4 of preseason best 11 to face Benfica | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca’s press conference yesterday added another swathe of injuries to the growing list at Stamford Bridge. Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro are now apparently all doubts.

Let’s take the worst case scenario now: imagine all 3 are out of the game. That would mean a final list of Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro, Andrey Santos, Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dario Essugo all out. Who are we forgetting?

Bare bones Chelsea down to last resorts across the board

Joao Pedro lashes in a shot. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

In goal we’ll likely see Robert Sanchez. Filip Jorgensen has been promised games, but this isn’t the moment for charity. Trevoh Chalobah will be banned against Liverpool, but can play tomorrow at least. Benoit Badiashile will partner him if he’s fit enough after playing a solid chunk of minutes on Saturday. Josh Acheampong is there if needed. Marc Cucurella will play at left back if he’s fit, and probably Malo Gusto on the right to keep Reece James ready for Saturday.

In midfield we’ve got nothing left. Romeo Lavia will have to play if fit. Enzo Fernandez will have to go again, despite the fatigue. Facundo Buonanotte, having been added to the squad, can play in the ten.

In attack there are at least some options out wide. We assume Alejandro Garnacho is rotated in, with Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian likely to share minutes on the other side.

Up front, it may well have to by Tyrique George repeating his false 9 act.

Chelsea to start just 4 of ideal first eleven as squad decimated

That would mean basically Cucurella, Neto, Enzo and Sanchez as the only “first XI” players from Maresca’s preferred team in the XI. This is a huge game where we need to get some Champions League points on the board, and it’s not looking good.