Enzo Maresca has given a new update on the status of Enzo Fernandez, who missed Chelsea’s 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest through injury.
The midfielder started Argentina’s 1-0 friendly win against Venezuela during the international break but flew back to London and returned to Cobham early before Tuesday’s 6-0 win over Puerto Rico due to a knee problem.
The issue was described in a statement by the Argentine FA as being an “inflammation of the knee”.
Fernandez was not in the squad for Chelsea’s victory at the City Ground on Saturday, and Maresca admitted that it is unclear if he will be involved in Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Ajax at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking at his press conference after the Forest game, the Chelsea head coach said: “Yeah, Enzo had small problems.
“A small problem that at the moment we are not able to say if he can be available for Ajax or not.”
Centre-back Wesley Fofana is now recovered from a concussion suffered in the Carabao Cup win over Lincoln last month, but was also not in the Chelsea squad against Forest.
While he is now fit, Maresca explained that Fofana’s injury history plays a part in how Chelsea choose to manage his minutes.
“Wes, it’s just a way to try to protect him a little bit,” Maresca said of the French defender’s omission on Saturday.
“For me, Wes is the same as Josh [Acheampong]. I said many times that I really like Wes and he's going to play games. But it was just to protect. He will be available for Ajax.”
