Chelsea breezed to a 5-1 victory over struggling Ajax as they secured a second victory of the Champions League league phase at Stamford Bridge.
The visitors, who had lost both of their European matches before this one, started well enough but a clumsy challenge from captain Kenneth Taylor saw him sent off midway through the first half.
That incident was the catalyst for a furious first 45 minutes in which five goals were scored as Chelsea took complete control of the game.
78 seconds after Taylor’s dismissal, Chelsea teenager Marc Guiu had the ball in the back of the net ably assisted by Wesley Fofana. Moises Caicedo’s strike from range made it two before a penalty to Ajax saw Wout Weghorst pull a goal back.
At this stage there was hope for the 10-man Dutch side but two penalties, both coming to Chelsea, saw Enzo Fernandes then Estevao slot home their spot kicks. Tyrique George became the third teenager of the night to score with his goal just minutes into the second half and from there it was plain sailing.
Relive the Champions League updates with our live blog below:
Chelsea vs Ajax live
- Chelsea batter Ajax in the Champions League
- 48' GOAL! George comes off the bench and scores (CHE 5-1 AJX)
- 45+6' GOAL! Estevao converts Chelsea's second penalty (CHE 4-1 AJX)
- 45' GOAL! Fernandez restores two goal cushion with penalty (CHE 3-1 AJX)
- 33' GOAL! Weghorst socre from penalty spot (CHE 2-1 AJX)
- 27' GOAL! Caicedo doubles lead with shot from range (CHE 2-0 AJX)
- 18' GOAL! Guiu sends Chelsea ahead 90 seconds after red card (CHE 1-0 AJX)
- 16' RED CARD! Kenneth Taylor sent off for lunge on Buonanotte (CHE 0-0 AJX)
Chelsea’s teenage prodigies dismantle hapless Ajax in history-making win
Wednesday 22 October 2025 22:18 , Mike JonesSuffice to say the kids were alright. Chelsea made Champions League history of sorts with the teamsheet, still more with the scoresheet. They have played the generation game over the last three years, but the shift to youth never felt as pronounced.
Nor, they may feel, as much of a vindication. Enzo Maresca named the second youngest 11 an English club had ever selected in this competition – behind an Arsenal side that, strange as it sounds, featured Tom Cruise – and Chelsea became the first team ever to have three teenagers score in a Champions League game.
Chelsea’s teenage prodigies dismantle hapless Ajax in history-making win
Full-time! Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 22:00 , Mike Jones90+5 mins: The whistle goes.
Chelsea have their win, they have the three points and they’ve shown just how dangerous they can be this season.
What a performance and what a result.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:55 , Mike Jones90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:49 , Mike Jones87 mins: Time is ticking away from Chelsea to add to their tally again.
They’re aren’t really trying to anymore. The tempo has been zapped from proceedings as the players all know the game is over.
Estevao continues to excel
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:47 , Richard Jolly at Stamford Bridge“Ajax may be grateful for the many Chelsea changes, which have taken some of the sting out of the game, but Estavao is continuing to excel.
“He looks a huge talent and almost scored with an audacious overhead kick.”
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:47 , Mike Jones84 mins: Chelsea are understandably cruising now.
Their main players are off and the teenagers have the game in hand.
It’s been a tough outing for Ajax.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:44 , Mike Jones81 mins: Into the last 10 minutes here and Wesley Fofana may have an issue.
He’s signalled to the bench to come off but Chelsea are out of substitutes.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:39 , Mike Jones75 mins: Save! Pasveer lunges to the left and pushes the ball up over the crossbar.
Estevao struck it again and made things difficult for the goalkeeper who handled it well.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:36 , Mike Jones72 mins: Chelsea win a free kick and it’s within shooting range but not the most favourable of angles.
Estevao takes it and drills his effort into the wall.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:34 , Mike Jones69 mins: Estevao takes a snapshot from the left side of the box and just pulls his effort wide.
In other news from around the Champions League, Liverpool are also 5-1 up against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:29 , Mike Jones66 mins: Oh hello!
Chelsea make their final substitution and Enzo Maresca brings on another teenager.
17-year-old Reggie Walsh replaces Romeo Lavia.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:27 , Mike Jones63 mins: A Chelsea corner is whipped into the near post and Remko Pasveer makes a faff of his clearance.
Chelsea try to kick the ball into a dangerous zone but Ajax are more composed and work it clear.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:23 , Mike Jones60 mins: An hour played at Stamford Bridge and Ajax will be looking at these little landmarks and ticking them off.
They’ll already be thinking about getting off the pitch. It’s been a torrid start to their Champions League campaign on tonight’s outing has only made matters worse.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:19 , Mike Jones56 mins: Estevao is shown a yellow card for leaving a bit too much on Lucas Rosa.
It’s the correct decision and there’s an opportunity for the visitors to get the ball up the pitch.
Backing the youth
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:18 , Richard Jolly at Stamford BridgeChelsea's three youngest ever Champions League scorers have all scored tonight - Guiu, Estevao and George.
Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:16 , Mike Jones53 mins: It would ease the pressure on me a little if this match slowed down a touch.
That doesn’t seem very likely though as Chelsea are sweeping forward with gusto.
This young side will want to pile on the misery and there’s a lot of time left in this game.
Ridiculous first half
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:13 , Richard Jolly at Stamford Bridge“Ridiculous first half.
“Let's see what the second half has in store. Maresca's half-time triple change suggests Enzo Fernandez, at least, is being rested for Sunderland at the weekend.”
GOAL! Chelsea 5-1 Ajax (Tyrique George, 48')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:12 , Mike JonesOne of the substitutes for Chelsea, Tyrique George, adds to the tally.
He moves beautifully into the box and receives the ball before poking it past Remko Pasveer.
Chelsea 4-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:10 , Mike Jones47 mins: Enzo Maresca has made any three changes at the break.
He’s happy with how that first half went and but wants to rest some of his key men.
Second half! Chelsea 4-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:08 , Mike JonesChelsea get the ball rolling again at Stamford Bridge.
Will they be more ruthless and add to their tally?
HT Chelsea 4-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:03 , Mike JonesEnzo Fernandez added a third from the penalty spot:
Estevao drilled home his penalty to make it four goals before half-time for the Blues:
HT Chelsea 4-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 21:00 , Mike JonesWout Weghorst pulled one back from the penalty spot:
HT Chelsea 4-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:57 , Mike JonesMarc Guiu sent Chelsea ahead after Kenneth Taylor's red card:
Moises Caicedo added a second with a deflected strike:
Half-time! Chelsea 4-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:53 , Mike Jones45+6 mins: The whistle goes to end an impossibly busy first half at Stamford Bridge.
Five goals, four for Chelsea and one to Ajax.
The visitors have also had a man sent off as well which was pretty much the catalyst for the whole thing.
What does the second half have in store?
GOAL! Chelsea 4-1 Ajax (Estevao, 45+6')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:51 , Mike JonesAnother one!
It’s another penalty and it comes to Chelsea. Enzo Fernandez hands the ball to youngster Estevao.
He blasts his spot kick into the back of the net!
Chelsea have four.
Chelsea 3-1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:49 , Mike Jones45+3 mins: There’s five minutes of added time to play at Stamford Bridge in the first half.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Ajax (Enzo Fernandez, 45')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:46 , Mike JonesThe Chelsea captain restores the two goal lead for the Blues.
He slots it to the goalkeeper’s left and finds the corner.
Enzo Maresca celebrates.
Penalty to Chelsea!
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:45 , Mike JonesChelsea 2- 1 Ajax
44 mins: Gittens slips Fernandez into the penalty area and the Chelsea captain is cleaned out by Weghorst.
The Ajax man protests that he took the ball first but the referee points to the spot and VAR doesn’t overturn the decision.
Chelsea 2- 1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:42 , Mike Jones42 mins: When play resumes Buonanotte makes a run into the box from the right and looks for Tosin ball over the top.
The pass is a little too heavy and the attacker can’t keep it in play.
Weghorst does have a big cut on his forehead but he’s still throwing himself about. He wins a free kick after Fofana fouls him but nothing comes from the set piece.
Chelsea 2- 1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:39 , Mike Jones39 mins: Weghorst and Tosin come together with the Ajax forward coming off worse.
He looks to have a cut on his head and there are some murmurings over a booking for Tosin.
That doesn’t come but there’s a break in play while Weghorst receives treatment.
Chelsea have let Ajax back in it
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:38 , Richard Jolly at Stamford Bridge“At 2-0 and a man up this should have been a formality for Chelsea but they have let Ajax back into it.
“And Wout Weghorst has now scored half as many goals in England for Ajax as he did for Manchester United.”
Chelsea 2- 1 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:36 , Mike Jones36 mins: So, Chelsea need to keep their composure. It was a simple error from Tosin which led to the penalty and the defender was booked for his effort.
The Blues will want to restore their two goal lead. Can they do so before the break?
GOAL! Chelsea 2- 1 Ajax (Wout Weghorst, 33')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:34 , Mike JonesAjax pull a goal back.
Wout Weghorst takes the spot kick but it’s not a good one.
It’s low and close to Filip Jorgensen who gets a good chunk of the ball.
But, he can’t keep it out and Ajax cut the deficit to one.
Penalty to Ajax!
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:33 , Mike JonesChelsea 2-0 Ajax
30 mins: Raul Moro drives into the box from the right in a rare attack for Ajax.
He sends the ball away and is trod on by Tosin Adarabioyo who knocks him down.
The referee wastes no time and points to the spot.
A lifeline for the visitors?
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Ajax (Moises Caicedo, 27')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:28 , Mike JonesWow!
Gittens has time on the ball on the inside left channel. He weaves inside and rolls it across to Moises Caicedo.
He has plenty of time to set himself before drilling a shot from range.
Remko Pasveer seemingly has it covered but a deflection off defender Josip Sutalo takes the ball past the diving keeper where it lands in the back of the net!
Chelsea 1-0 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:27 , Mike Jones25 mins: Since the goal, Chelsea are slowly started to take control of possession and dominate the ball.
They’ve upped their chances to five and are utilising the extra man well.
Jamie Gittens in particular is having a good night.
It isn't going well for Heitinga
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:26 , Richard Jolly at Stamford Bridge“The Ajax fans whistled when the popular Oscar Gloukh was substituted and chanted "sacked in the morning" at manager John Heitinga.
“It is an understatement to say it isn't going well for him.”
Chelsea 1-0 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:25 , Mike Jones21 mins: The Ajax fans are infuriated with their manager.
John Heitinga has made a change after the red card and he has taken off Oscar Gloukh - who has been Ajax’s best goalscorer of late - to bring on defensive reinforcements.
Jorthy Mokio is the man brought on.
A disaster for Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:23 , Richard Jolly at Stamford Bridge“A disastrous couple of minutes for Ajax, now a goal and a man down. There was the rarity of a red card in a Chelsea game that didn't go to Chelsea.
“Then Marc Guiu was left unmarked to finish. Ajax are bottom of the league.
“If they get a point, it would leave Benfica - and Jose Mourinho - bottom so Mourinho may be glad to see his old club ahead.”
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Ajax (Marc Guiu, 18')
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:21 , Mike JonesThere’s the opener!
Marc Guiu is the goalscorer and sends Chelsea ahead just 90 seconds or so after the Ajax captain was sent off.
The ball comes into the box from the right and finds Wesley Fofana.
He nods it across the area and finds Guiu free. The striker sees the goalkeeper attempting to cover the near post and slots it past him.
Stamford Bridge erupts.
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:18 , Mike JonesRED CARD!
16 mins: Oh no!
Facundo Buonanotte is clattered by a lunging Kenneth Taylor.
He catches the Chelsea man just above the ankle with his studs showing. Buonanotte lands on the deck and the Ajax captain initially receives a yellow card.
The referee is quickly told to look at the replay and after one look at the incident he pulls out a red instead!
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:16 , Mike Jones15 mins: Quarter of an hour played.
Marc Guiu makes a nice run into the box from the inside right and receives a threaded pass.
He looks to lift it over the goalkeeper but gets charged down.
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:13 , Mike Jones12 mins: Ajax come into tonight’s match sitting bottom of the league table with two losses from two.
They’ve started well but haven’t imposed much threat in Chelsea’s final third.
Chelsea are looking to get time on the ball and probe their own attacks through willing runners.
Ajax have Weghorst
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:08 , Richard Jolly at Stamford Bridge“Chelsea and Ajax drew 4-4 here six years ago in a ridiculous game in which, somehow, Ajax had two players sent off for fouls in the same passage of play.
“A repeat may be unlikely but Ajax do have the guarantee of goals that is Wout Weghorst.”
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:07 , Mike Jones6 mins: Chelsea are looking to press high when Ajax are in possession.
The finishes play through the and find Raul Moro who slips a nice pass forward towards Taylor.
Filip Jorgensen comes out of his area to deal with the danger but Wesley Fofana takes no chances.
He nudges the ball into space and boots it clear.
Chelsea 0-0 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:03 , Mike Jones3 mins: Chelsea’s first attack comes from the left as Jamie Gittens collects an aerial ball and weaves forward.
He floats a cross into the box which is headed clear but the Blues recover possession.
Kick off! Chelsea 0-0 Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 20:01 , Mike JonesThe rain is coming down onto the Stamford Bridge pitch as Kenneth Taylor gets the ball rolling.
Ajax work it over to the right wing where their progress is halted and they’re forced to retreat.
Chelsea vs Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:56 , Mike JonesHere come the players.
The two teams make their way out onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will be confident that they can win this match. Let’s find out of they can.
Kick off is up next...
Can Chelsea thrive without Palmer?
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:50 , Mike Jones“We’re doing well. We miss Cole [Palmer], he’s our best player, but we're coping well,” said Tosin Adarabioyo.
“We watched a bit of [Ajax] yesterday. Do I feel old being the oldest member of the squad? I feel 28."
'This is the stage to test ourselves'
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:45 , Mike JonesAjax defender Youri Baas added: "This is the stage where you want to test yourself, against Europe's best.
“We'll go out there with full confidence in ourselves.
“Maybe this match is actually good, after not playing well in the last two games. It's a good platform to bounce back."
'We demand the utmost'
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:40 , Mike JonesAjax coach, John Heitinga, said: "I know the Premier League well, along with Chelsea's strengths.
“This is a match where we have to demand the utmost from ourselves.
“We'll definitely apply pressure at times, but there will also be times when Chelsea force us back and we'll have to be well-organised.”
Teenage stars
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:35 , Mike JonesAged only 17 years and 214 days, Jorthy Mokio became the second youngest Ajax player to appear in the Champions League when he debuted last time out.
He was the 52nd teenager to appear in the competition for Ajax – the most of any team.
Enzo Maresca defends light-touch discipline amid red-card run
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:30 , Mike JonesChelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said he favours a light touch when it comes to disciplining his young squad – just as he does when dealing with his children.
The Blues have been shown red cards in each of their last four matches and in five of their last six in all competitions, with the Italian himself dismissed at the end of the 2-1 win against Liverpool earlier this month.
I don’t punish – Enzo Maresca defends light-touch discipline amid red-card run
Youth over experience
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:20 , Mike JonesChelsea are the only side yet to give a single minute to a player aged 30+ in the Champions League this season.
Only two English sides have gone three or more games without fielding a player in their 30s – Liverpool in 2002-03 (6) and Spurs in 2016-17 (6).
A meeting of old and new
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:17 , Richard Jolly at Stamford Bridge“A meeting of new and old at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea named the second youngest starting 11 an English club has ever fielded in the Champions League (average age 22 years, 163 days).
“Ajax pick the third oldest player, recalling 41-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, who is so old that when he was born, Chelsea were in the old Division 2.”
Chelsea are favourites to win
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:15 , Mike JonesWith Ajax on a five-game losing run in major European competition, this will be the seventh time Chelsea have faced a team who’ve lost their last 5+ games in Europe.
They’ve won their previous six by an aggregate score of 14-0.
The only English teams to lose against a side on such a run are Man City in 1970 vs Linfield in the Cup Winners’ Cup and Man Utd in 2019 vs Astana in the Europa League.
A terrible run for Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:10 , Mike JonesAjax have lost their last five major European competition matches (three in Europa League last season, first two Champions League games this season).
They haven’t lost six in a row since doing so between April 1988 and September 1989.
Chelsea's unbeaten streak
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:05 , Mike JonesChelsea have lost just two of their last 12 Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge (nine wins, one draw D1).
Both defeats were against Real Madrid in quarter-finals in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last 12 group games at Stamford Bridge (eight wins, four draws) since a Valencia victory back in September 2019.
Enzo Maresca admits change is needed after torrent of Chelsea red cards
Wednesday 22 October 2025 19:00 , Mike JonesChelsea manager Enzo Maresca has emphasised that discipline “is something that we have to improve” after his side picked up four red cards across their last six matches.
Speaking ahead of the home match against Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Italian was asked whether he thinks his side has a discipline problem after sendings off in the losses to Manchester United and Brighton as well as the more recent wins over Benfica and Nottingham Forest.
Enzo Maresca admits change is needed after torrent of Chelsea red cards
Chelsea vs Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:55 , Mike JonesThis is the third European meeting between Chelsea and Ajax, having met twice in the 2019-20 Champions group stage.
The Blues won 1-0 in Amsterdam, before a 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Ajax team to take on Chelsea
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:52 , Mike JonesAjax XI: Pasveer; Rosa, Sutalo, Baas, Itakura; Taylor, Gloukh, McConnell; Moro, Weghorst, Godts
All names for tonight’s Champions League match. #UCL https://t.co/X1MeOo7H7O pic.twitter.com/SqeMRwSkzO
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 22, 2025
Chelsea team to face Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:47 , Mike JonesChelsea XI: Jorgensen; Caicedo, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Hato; Lavia, Fernandez; Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; Guiu
Your Chelsea side tonight. 📝#CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/DuEV8S1is8
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 22, 2025
Gambling ads featuring Lewis Hamilton and Chelsea badge banned
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:36 , Mike JonesGambling adverts featuring Sir Lewis Hamilton and a Chelsea FC logo have been banned for the likelihood they would strongly appeal to children.
Adverts for two gambling firms, Kwiff and Betway, were banned after a complaint was lodged to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Gambling ads featuring Lewis Hamilton and Chelsea badge banned
Chelsea will learn from Ajax clash
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:30 , Mike Jones“It’s a nice competition because you play against fantastic clubs,” Enzo Maresca enthused ahead of tonight’s match.
“In the first game, Bayern Munich away, we were not happy with the result, but we tried to play face to face for 90 minutes against a club that in the last six or seven years always reached the quarter-finals, semi-finals, final.
“Benfica we tried to prepare in the best way to win, which we did. When you play these kinds of clubs – Bayern, Benfica, Ajax – there are always things you can learn after the game. It’s going to be exactly the same after the final whistle against Ajax.”
No chance for Pedro
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:24 , Mike JonesAlthough he is yet to score in the Champions League for Chelsea, one of Joao Pedro’s six previous major European goals was netted against Ajax back in September 2023 in the Europa League for Brighton in a 2-0 win.
No player has ever netted against Ajax for two different English clubs in major European competition.
Pedro will no get the chance to tonight as he misses the game through suspension.
Caicedo's qualities
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:18 , Mike JonesOnly two players have made more tackles in this season’s Champions League than Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo (9).
He made more tackles than any other player across matchday two, with seven in the win over Benfica.
Maresca on Ajax challenge
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:12 , Mike JonesEnzo Maresca spoke about the challenges his Chelsea team will face against Ajax tonight.
“They are a team that always tries to play in the DNA of the club so for sure it will be a tough game,” he said.
“In the past and in the present, they try to play their kind of football. Also, they are a club that has won this competition in the past, so they want to prove to everyone they are coming here to do their best to beat us – and we are going to try and do exactly the same.”
A poor record agains English sides
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:06 , Mike JonesAjax are winless in their last 11 major European matches against English teams (two draws, nine defeats) since a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in April 2019.
They’ve failed to score a single goal in any of their last five, since a Mohammed Kudus goal against Liverpool in September 2022.
Chelsea legend blames ‘impossible’ pre-season for Cole Palmer injury
Wednesday 22 October 2025 18:00 , Mike JonesCole Palmer’s crushing injury setback is down to Chelsea’s “impossible” pre-season, according to club legend Pat Nevin.
Palmer has been dealing with a groin injury since August and after missing England’s recent internationals, manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed the Blues will be without their star playmaker for another six weeks.
Chelsea legend blames ‘impossible’ pre-season for Cole Palmer injury
A clean sweep for Chelsea
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:54 , Mike JonesUntil the advent of the Conference League in 2021/22, Chelsea and Ajax were two of just five clubs, alongside Bayern, Juventus and Man United, to have won all three major Uefa titles.
The Blues, current holders of that fourth crown, are the only team to have won all four.
How will Chelsea cope without Joao Pedro?
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:48 , Mike Jones“We have Marc [Guiu] and we have also Tyrique [George], who has played games as a nine in the past; he did very well previously playing in that role, such as against Benfica,” Maresca said when asked who could lead the line against Ajax.
“We trust Marc. We trusted him already last year and he was always playing and training with confidence. We gave him some Premier League minutes, which shows we trust Marc.
“Now he’s with us [following his loan recall] and he’s going to play games for us, for sure.”
Will Fernandez be fit?
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:42 , Mike JonesEnzo Maresca said that Chelsea would wait and see how Enzo Maresca performed in Tuesday’s training session to see if he is fit to play tonight.
“Enzo took part in the session yesterday (Monday),’ Maresca explained during his pre-match press conference.
“We have one more session and then we will decide what we will do with him [against Ajax].”
John Heitinga's record
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:38 , Mike JonesJohn Heitinga has lost his first two Champions League matches as manager, the first Ajax boss to ever do that.
Heitinga is one of four people to lose his first two games both as a player and manager in the competition with a club (with Ajax in 2003), along with Mark van Bommel at PSV, Ivan Leko at Club Brugge and Krunoslav Jurcic at Dinamo Zagreb, none of whom also lost their first three as Heitinga could do.
How Chelsea’s game of chess sparked a civil war at ‘feeder club’ Strasbourg
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:36 , Will CastleWhen Strasbourg were left bankrupt and demoted to the amateur fifth tier of French football in 2011, they were a club in crisis. Strasbourg are now vying for the Champions League. Again, they are a club in crisis.
At the epicentre of Alsace, a fiercely proud region on the French-German border, there is the sinking feeling that an identity is being lost – extracted from a football club that for so long has galvanised the masses like few manage in France. A string of alleged “deception and lies” has turned Strasbourg into an entity no longer recognised by a vocal contingent of its own people.
How Chelsea’s game of chess sparked a civil war at ‘feeder club’ Strasbourg
Chelsea vs Ajax predicted line-ups
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:30 , Mike JonesChelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Acheampong , Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; George
Ajax XI: Jaros; Rosa, Gaaei, Baas, Mokio; Gloukh, Sutalo, Taylor; Edvardsen, Weghorst, Godts
Ajax's early team news
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:24 , Mike JonesFor Ajax, Owen Wijndal has a muscular problem picked up during the defeat to Marseille and the 25-year-old remains out of contention. Branco van den Boomen is dealing with a back injury and will also miss the game.
Chelsea's early team news
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:18 , Mike JonesJoao Pedro will miss the Benfica match due to being suspended by a red card in the Blues’ last Champions League outing.
Chelsea are still missing Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, Benoit Badiashile and Liam Delap who are all injured. Enzo Fernandez is also a doubt due to a knee problem.
How can I watch it?
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:12 , Mike JonesViewers in the UK can watch the match on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the match online via Discovery+.
You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.
When is Chelsea vs Ajax?
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:06 , Mike JonesChelsea’s encounter with Ajax in the Champions League kicks off at 8:00pm BST on Wednesday 22 October at Stamford Bridge in London.
Chelsea vs Ajax
Wednesday 22 October 2025 17:00 , Mike JonesChelsea play host to Ajax in the Champions League this evening hoping to propel themselves further up the league phase table.
The Blues sit 18th in the table ahead of this week’s fixtures having won one and lost one of their two games so far. Bayern Munich swept the world champions aside 3-1 in their opening match before Enzo Maresca’s side defeated Benfica 1-0 at the end of September.
Since then, Chelsea have beaten Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and look in good touch ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge.
They take on an Ajax side who have not won in three games. They have lost both of their Champions League games so far with Inter Milan and Marseille both scoring multiple goals against the Dutch side. Chelsea will pose a difficult challenge and the Blues are the favourites to win tonight’s encounter.
Good evening!
Wednesday 22 October 2025 16:53 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action.
Chelsea take on Ajax in the league phase looking to secure back-to-back wins in the competition and propel themselves up the table.
Kick off for this one is at 8pm so stick with us for all the build up and team news beforehand.
