Injury Concerns Mount as Return Dates Revealed for Chelsea stars Ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Return | OneFootball

Chelsea Injury Update: Maresca Faces Defensive Headaches Ahead of Champions League Clash

Chelsea enter a pivotal stage of the season with a growing list of absentees that is testing the depth of Enzo Maresca’s squad. As the club embarks on another demanding run of fixtures in both the Premier League and Europe, the manager’s options have been diminished by injuries to several first-team regulars. The return of some key figures has been tempered by new setbacks that underline how fragile Chelsea’s campaign remains.

Maresca Balances Selection Challenges

The 44-year-old Chelsea manager, now in his second season in charge, is dealing with a combination of injuries and suspensions. Trevoh Chalobah’s first-half dismissal at the weekend means he will miss upcoming domestic matches, further reducing defensive options. Benoît Badiashile and Romeo Lavia did make encouraging returns in that match, giving Maresca at least some cause for optimism. Yet the overall picture remains complicated, particularly with José Mourinho’s Benfica visiting Stamford Bridge in midweek for a crucial Champions League encounter.

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Palmer Setback Highlights Chelsea’s Unfortunate Run

Cole Palmer’s absence feels emblematic of Chelsea’s misfortune with fitness this term. The England international has been ruled out with a persistent groin issue that forced him to drop out of the starting line-up at West Ham and leave the pitch early against Manchester United. Chelsea’s medical staff have decided to manage the injury conservatively rather than opt for surgery, hoping rest through the October international break will suffice.

“The medical staff didn’t mention to me about surgery until today. I don’t know about the next weeks, but I don’t think so to be honest,” Maresca said ahead of hosting Brighton.

Palmer’s potential return is pencilled in for the trip to Nottingham Forest on 18 October, but his availability will hinge on how he responds to the rehabilitation programme.

Defensive Injuries Heap Pressure On Back Line

Chelsea’s central defensive unit has been hardest hit. Wesley Fofana suffered concussion after a collision with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen during the Carabao Cup win over Lincoln. The Frenchman is observing the mandatory 12-day concussion protocol and is also aiming for a return against Nottingham Forest on 18 October.

Tosin Adarabioyo, meanwhile, was forced out of contention for the Brighton fixture due to a small calf problem. Like Fofana, he is expected to be available after the international break, a relief for Maresca who has seen his defensive options stretched thin.

The most severe long-term setback concerns Levi Colwill, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in training shortly after the Club World Cup. Following surgery, the young defender is not expected back until the spring of 2026. Chelsea’s medical department confirmed, “Levi will now begin his recovery and be supported by the club’s medical department at Cobham during his rehabilitation phase.”

Long-Term Absentees Add To Concerns

Further up the pitch, Liam Delap’s encouraging start in blue was interrupted by a muscle issue sustained against Fulham before the September break. The striker is likely to remain sidelined until late October or early November depending on his recovery progress.

In midfield, Dario Essugo has undergone surgery on a thigh injury picked up while on duty for Portugal’s Under-21 side and faces around 12 weeks out, with an anticipated return early in 2026.

Chelsea’s immediate task is to manage these absences through a congested fixture list. Maresca’s ability to maintain momentum in Europe and domestically will depend on navigating the next few weeks without several key players. The imminent returns of Palmer, Fofana and Adarabioyo after the international break offer some encouragement, but the longer recoveries for Colwill and Essugo underline the importance of squad depth as Chelsea chase their objectives on multiple fronts.