Chelsea injury update: Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer and Liam Delap latest ahead of Ajax and Sunderland

Chelsea’s season has been shaped by both progress and pain — an upturn in form tempered by a relentless string of injuries. As Enzo Maresca’s side prepare to welcome Ajax to Stamford Bridge in midweek, the Blues remain without several key players, though there are tentative signs of improvement on the fitness front.

Despite their fitness troubles, Chelsea have won four of their last five matches across all competitions, climbing back toward the Premier League’s top four while advancing in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup. The resilience of Maresca’s squad has been tested, but it’s beginning to pay off.

Enzo Fernández remains a doubt for the clash with Ajax after inflammation in his right knee forced him to withdraw from international duty and miss the trip to Nottingham Forest. The Argentine playmaker returned to Cobham for treatment, with Maresca confirming the issue is minor but unpredictable.

“Enzo had a small problem,” said the Chelsea boss. “At the moment we are not able to say if he can be available for Ajax or not.” Club sources suggest he will be re-evaluated before Wednesday’s match, but with key Premier League fixtures on the horizon, Chelsea will not risk aggravating the issue.

Potential return date: October 22 vs Ajax (H) or October 25 vs Sunderland (H)

Cole Palmer’s persistent groin problem continues to frustrate Chelsea. Initially expected to return soon after the October international break, Maresca revealed before the Forest game that Palmer’s recovery had been slower than hoped.

“I was wrong,” Maresca admitted. “Unfortunately, he needs to be out probably six more weeks.” The England international is undergoing a carefully managed rehab program with no surgery required. If his progress continues steadily, he should be back in early December.

Potential return date: December 3 vs Leeds (A)

Benoît Badiashile has endured another setback after limping off against Liverpool earlier this month. Maresca confirmed a “muscular problem” will keep the French defender out until December. “He was doing fantastic,” said the manager. “We’ll wait for him — we need his quality.”

Potential return date: December

Summer signing Liam Delap, who impressed briefly at the Club World Cup, remains out after suffering a hamstring injury against Fulham in late August. The 21-year-old striker has resumed light gym work but isn’t expected to return to full training for several more weeks.

“Liam I think is around 10–12 weeks [out], so a long way to go,” Maresca said in September.

Potential return date: Early December

New arrival Dário Essugo is continuing his recovery following thigh surgery after an injury sustained during Portugal Under-21 training in early September. The 20-year-old has yet to make his senior debut for Chelsea and is not expected back until after the New Year.

Potential return date: January 2026

Levi Colwill remains one of Chelsea’s long-term absentees after suffering an ACL tear in pre-season training. The defender has undergone successful surgery and recently returned to gym-based work as part of his rehabilitation process.

He is expected to miss most of the season, though staff remain hopeful he could feature in the final weeks of the campaign.

Potential return date: Spring/Summer 2026

Chelsea’s depth is finally proving its value. Maresca was able to welcome back Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Reece James, and João Pedro against Forest, while Pedro Neto and Josh Acheampong earned rare starts. Despite the absences, Chelsea have maintained momentum — an encouraging sign ahead of a crucial Champions League test.

Maresca praised the squad’s adaptability: “We’re still missing important players, but everyone is stepping up. The energy in the group is good.” His tactical flexibility, shifting between a 4-3-3 and a 3-2-5 build-up, has also helped offset the impact of key injuries.

The medical team at Cobham has adopted a more data-driven recovery model this season. Players returning from international duty undergo load monitoring, with training intensity adjusted based on individual muscle-fatigue metrics. Sources suggest Maresca has insisted on a “prevention-first” philosophy — prioritising long-term fitness over short-term availability.

That shift could be crucial in maintaining consistency through the winter period. Chelsea’s busy calendar — with Ajax, Sunderland, and Wolves all within 10 days — will test both squad rotation and medical management.

In my view, Maresca has handled Chelsea’s injury crisis as well as anyone could. By combining rotation, tactical flexibility, and squad trust, he’s kept results flowing despite constant setbacks. The next challenge will be reintegrating stars like Enzo Fernández and Palmer without disrupting the balance that’s forming.

FootballPlace analyst John William adds: “Chelsea’s fitness strategy under Maresca looks more sustainable. The fact they’re winning while half the squad is out says a lot about the system — not just the individuals.”

Chelsea host Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday before returning to Premier League action against Sunderland at the weekend. Maresca will be hoping to regain Fernández and keep the momentum rolling as the Blues push toward the knockout stages in Europe.

If the injured core — including Palmer, Badiashile, and Delap — can return by December, Chelsea could hit full stride just in time for the festive fixture period.

👉 Can Chelsea maintain their winning form and survive another injury wave ahead of a defining Champions League clash?