Chelsea fans, there's good news! After a much-needed international break, the Blues are gearing up for their Premier League return against Nottingham Forest with a squad boosted by returning players. Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, and Andrey Santos are all available for selection after recovering from their respective injuries. This trio missed the victories over Benfica and Liverpool, so their return provides a welcome depth to the squad.
Key Players' Fitness Updates
While the return of these players is positive, the news isn't all rosy. Cole Palmer is set to be sidelined for another six weeks due to a groin issue. Maresca emphasized the importance of protecting Palmer and ensuring he's fully fit upon his return. 'Unfortunately, he needs to be out for probably six more weeks, this is the update,' Maresca stated.
Reece James is also fit and potentially in line to make his 200th appearance for Chelsea. However, the availability of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Joao Pedro will be determined after a training session. 'They didn't take part in the session yesterday, but we will see if they can train today. Otherwise, they would be out for tomorrow,' Maresca explained.
Fernandez Set to Feature
Despite concerns about a knee inflammation that caused him to withdraw from international duty, Enzo Fernandez is expected to be fit for the Nottingham Forest match. It's understood that Fernandez's absence from international duty was pre-planned as load management after a busy season. Benoit Badiashile, however, is unfortunately set for another spell on the sidelines after being withdrawn during the Liverpool game.
Chelsea will be looking to build on their recent wins against Benfica and Liverpool as they face Nottingham Forest. The return of key players provides a much-needed boost, but the team will need to overcome the absence of Palmer and potentially Caicedo and Pedro to secure another victory.