Chelsea are in the midst of a minor injury crisis, with six first-team players currently sidelined.
There is a grim mood around the club at the moment. The Blues have only won once in their last four outings, and suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Saturday.
Trevoh Chalobah was sent off in the first half, with his suspension complicating Enzo Maresca’s already tricky selection.
There were some retrunees in that match, though, as Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia returned to play.
The Blues face a tough test midweek, though, as they host Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League.
Here’s all the latest on Chelsea’s injury situation.
Cole Palmer
In a blow which rather encapsulates Chelsea’s luck this season, Cole Palmer has been ruled out for some time with a niggling groin issue.
It is the same issue which caused him to drop out of the starting XI at West Ham and come off early against Man United.
Rather than send him for surgery, Chelsea have opted to let him rest until after the October international break.
“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.
Potential return date: October 18 vs Nottingham Forest (A)
Wesley Fofana
Wesley Fofana is among the various unavailable Chelsea centre-backs after he was concussed in a collision with Filip Jorgensen.
He was caught under his goalkeeper as he made a high claim early in a Carabao Cup win over Lincoln.
The Frenchman will be sidelined for 12 days as he completes concussion return protocols, meaning he will return after the international break.
Potential return date: October 18 vs Nottingham Forest (A)
Tosin Adarabioyo
Adding to Chelsea’s defensive woes, Tosin Adarabioyo picked up a “small calf injury” in the build-up to the Brighton match.
He is also due to return after the international break.
Potential return date: October 18 vs Nottingham Forest (A)
Dario Essugo
Dario Essugo has undergone surgery on a thigh injury picked up on international duty with Portugal Under-21s.
He is now in recovery, and is due to return in around 12 weeks’ time.
Potential return date: Early 2026
Liam Delap
Chelsea’s newly-signed striker made a bright start to his career in west London, but was promptly sidelined after he pulled up against Fulham before the September international break.
He was forced off just 15 minutes into the game and Maresca said afterwards that it was the sort of injury that usually meant six to eight weeks on the sidelines.
That would see him return in late October, at the earliest, assuming his recovery goes to plan.
Potential return date: October/November
Levi Colwill
Levi Colwill was the first casualty of Chelsea’s season, tearing his ACL in training after the Club World Cup.
He has undergone surgery, and is expected to miss the vast majority of the season.
A statement published on Chelsea’s official website read: “Defender Levi Colwill has today undergone successful surgery to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“Levi will now begin his recovery and be supported by the club's medical department at Cobham during his rehabilitation phase.”
Potential return date: Spring 2026
