Opponent watch – Chelsea striker a major doubt for CL clash against Barcelona | OneFootball

One of the most high-profile clashes of the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League will see FC Barcelona face off against Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge.

The La Liga champions will be pitted against the winners of the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in November.

While the game is still more than two months away, Chelsea appear to have lost one of their new signings for it.

Liam Delap a major doubt

Indeed, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea forward Liam Delap is a major doubt for the Champions League meeting with Barcelona on 25 November at Stamford Bridge.

The striker will be out for a period of 10 to 12 weeks after suffering an injury against Fulham.

Delap is out with a hamstring injury. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Just 14 minutes into the game against the Cottagers before the international break, Delap had to be taken off due to a hamstring problem.

“Liam will be out for 10 to 12 weeks. He still has a long road to recovery,” confirmed Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca in Friday’s press conference ahead of the Brentford game.

It pretty much rules him out of action for the game against Barcelona, although Chelsea will hope that they can recover the striker in time for the heavyweight clash.

Since joining Chelsea from Ipswich Town in June, Delap has played nine matches, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.

The Englishman’s hamstring injury caused Chelsea to cancel ex-Barcelona youngster Marc Guiu’s loan move to Sunderland. The former La Masia forward has been included in the UCL squad and could get a chance to take on the Catalans.