Chelsea laboured to another win in the Champions League as they dispatched Pafos 1-0. Moises Caicedo scored the only goal, heading home to finally make good on 78 minutes of heavy pressure. The Blues dominated possession and created chances aplenty but were frustrated by an impressive performance from Jay Gorter in the Pafos net. But Caicedo’s long-awaited opener proved decisive, and Chelsea are one step closer to qualifying for the round of 16.
The Ecuadorian’s goal proved a rather cathartic moment amid the tangible tension of Stamford Bridge, when fans had grown restless after watching the Blues struggle to break down the Cypriot minnows for long periods. But Pafos never really posed a threat to Filip Jorgensen or Robert Sanchez, save for a late flurry of attacking activity as they chased the game after Caicedo’s strike.
David Luiz was denied his emotional reunion with the Chelsea faithful as he watched the entire affair from the substitute’s bench having struggled with injury in recent weeks. Catch up with the action as it happened below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Pafos latest updates
- GOAL! Caicedo with the opener
- CLOSE! Gorter saves from Caicedo
- CLOSE! Jaja hits post for Pafos
- NO GOAL! Fernandez opener ruled out
Fan reaction: Something to be worried about?
22:02 , Arthur FerridgeFT 1-0 Chelsea win
— CFC Match Comms (@OhOh255) January 21, 2026
Tactics too rigid. Very little movement on + off the ball. Invited the press; got none. Side-to-side passing aplenty.
Took an "unexpected Caicedo" mo(ve)ment from a set-piece to get 3 pts.
At least we didn't concede against run-of-play. 🤷♂️#CFC #CHEPAF #UCL
Fan reaction: Unimpressive stuff
22:02 , Arthur FerridgeWhat a hard game to watch #CHEPAF
— The_Bulldoza (@EN__Annan) January 21, 2026
Fan reaction: Plenty to be happy with
22:01 , Arthur FerridgeNot the best game, but a win is a win. Into the top 8!
— Jamie Smith (@jamiesmith_80) January 21, 2026
Patience ✅
Lineup ✅
Changes ✅
Caicedo ✅
Clean sheet ✅
Would love to see bravery in shape, get wingers wide and whip balls into Delap from deep and bar line. We don’t play to his strengths.
Onto Naples.#CHEPAF https://t.co/dNh0izViDG
FULL TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Pafos
21:52 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the whistle - a huge win for Chelsea!
Chelsea 1-0 Pafos
21:51 , Arthur Ferridge90+2mins: Pafos fans getting riled up as Fernandez takes his sweet time over a Chelsea corner.
Chelsea 1-0 Pafos
21:49 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Sanchez saves from Dimata as the fourth official announces four added minutes.
Chelsea 1-0 Pafos
21:47 , Arthur Ferridge88mins: Sanchez is quick off his line to punch away a Pafos cross.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
21:45 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea not looking to slow things down just yet. Eager to get a second goal and you can't blame them given the positivity Pafos have shown tonight.
Chelsea 1-0 Pafos
21:43 , Arthur Ferridge85mins: Estevao takes a hard fall in the box after missing a header.
Chelsea 1-0 Pafos
21:42 , Arthur Ferridge83mins: How Chelsea would love one more goal for security here, and, of course, for the goal difference.
Pafos make two more changes, suggesting David Luiz will play no part tonight. Orsic and Sema are off for Bassouamina and Langa.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
21:37 , Arthur FerridgeThere's a broad smile on the face of Caicedo as he wheels away to celebrate Chelsea's belated opener. The deadlock is finally broken, deservedly. It's a good header after an accidental flick-on by Dimata.
Chelsea 1-0 Pafos
21:37 , Arthur Ferridge78mins: Well, you can’t say Chelsea don’t deserve that lead - the entire second half has been played in the Pafos half. The Blues just need to hold on, now.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Pafos | Caicedo '77
21:36 , Arthur FerridgeFinally, the opener! And of course it is Caicedo, who has had a real eye for goal today. He heads home after Badishile flicked on Neto’s corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:32 , Arthur Ferridge74mins: Gittens goes into the book, perhaps harshly, for a late tackle on Quina.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:28 , Arthur Ferridge70mins: Finally, the Chelsea changes. Delap draws a blank and is replaced by Pedro. Garnacho makes way for Gittens, and Hato for Cucurella.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:27 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: Pedro and Gittens still waiting to come on, for the record.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
21:26 , Arthur FerridgeThe game has become considerably more frantic lately and Caicedo fancies it from range (why not?). Almost scores, and perhaps there's a lesson in there for Chelsea, who are starting to force the issue now and look closer than ever to their opening goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:25 , Arthur Ferridge67mins: THAT IS SUPERB DEFENDING! Garnacho is in acres of space and sizes up a shot but Luckassen is at full stretch to deny his effort.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:24 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: Changes for Pathos first, in fact. Jaja and Anderson are replaced by Quina and Dimata. Gittens and Pedro will wait a while longer.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:23 , Arthur Ferridge64mins: Chelsea are attacking almost exclusively through Estevao now.
But that may soon change as Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens are being readied to come on.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:21 , Arthur Ferridge62mins: Well, Chelsea really have Pafos under the cosh now. The Cypriot side just cannot get out of their defensive third.
Estevao dances through the middle of the box and sees his shot blocked by Felipe, who makes a simply heroic block.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:20 , Arthur Ferridge61mins: Fernandez’s corner from the left-hand side dribbles out the far side for a corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:19 , Arthur Ferridge61mins: Gorter is playing the game of his life here. Replays show that Neto shot took a deflection on the way through, but he reacted incredibly quickly to keep it out.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:18 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Neto does well to sneak inside and he gets a smart shot away, but again Gorter is equal to it!
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:16 , Arthur Ferridge57mins: I have lost count of the number of corners Chelsea have now had and wasted. The latest is headed out by Pafos and falls to Gusto, who doesn’t quite catch his volleyed effort right.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:14 , Arthur Ferridge55mins: More handball appeals as Neto’s corner seems to collide with the arm of a Pafos defender, but the referee is uninterested and VAR doesn’t seem to be checking.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:12 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: A dangerous Estevao cross finds its way to Garnacho, who swings and misses as he looks to pull it back to Delap.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
21:11 , Arthur FerridgeEstevao forces a save and livens up the Bridge, which had fallen flat there after such a plodding start to the second half by Chelsea.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:11 , Arthur Ferridge52mins: Gorter does it again! Estevao draws a wonderful save from the Pafos keeper on the volley, and whips up the crowd as he goes to take the corner, which comes to nothing.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:07 , Arthur Ferridge49mins: Pafos win a corner. They’ve made a lively start to this second half.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:06 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Fofana loses the ball to Sema but recovers well to dispossess the Pafos defender.
2ND HALF: Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
21:04 , Arthur FerridgeBack underway! Estevao has replaced Reece James.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
21:02 , Arthur FerridgeLooks to me as though Estevao is going to be coming on at half-time. Sanchez too. Jorgensen had an issue in that first half.
Chelsea WFC
21:00 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea women have secured a big big win this evening - they beat WSL leaders Man City in the League Cup to book a spot in the competition’s final!
Can the men follow up with a win here?
Fan reaction
20:51 , Arthur FerridgeTo say that the attack was lethargic would be the understatement of 2026! They’re struggling against a team I never even heard of until now! #CHEPAF #UEFAChampionsLeague
— Playmaker08 🇵🇪🇺🇸🇵🇸⚽️⭐️⭐️ (@playmaker9208) January 21, 2026
Fan reaction
20:51 , Arthur FerridgeWell that was.... #CHEPAF pic.twitter.com/l84ubC0taG
— Maita (@Maita6638761) January 21, 2026
HALF-TIME: Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:48 , Arthur FerridgeIt is goalless at the break, all thanks to Gorter in the Pafos goal. He has made three massive saves in this half.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:48 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: Another huge chance for Chelsea as Gorter denies Hato from close range!
Dom Smith with the weather...
20:45 , Arthur FerridgeThe rain, I can report, is now absolutely cascading down here at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:43 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Caicedo with a rocket of an effort but Gorter is equal to it again.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:41 , Arthur Ferridge40mins: An injury worry for Jorgensen? The Chelsea keeper seems to be in a bit of discomfort and is in conversation with his bench.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:40 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: The free-kick comes to nothing.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:39 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: James, Neto, and Enzo all standing over this free-kick...
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:39 , Arthur Ferridge38mins: Luckassen fouls Enzo at the edge of the area, and Chelsea have a free-kick in prime shooting range.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:36 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Close again for Chelsea! Caicedo draws a save from Gorter and Badiashile heads the rebound wide.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:34 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: Orsic of Pafos goes into the book for needlessly booting the ball away after Chelsea were awarded a free-kick. Silly decision, really.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:32 , Arthur Ferridge31mins: CLOSE! Jaja runs at Malo Gusto and works a shooting chance. His effort is deflected by James and comes off the near post. Lucky escape for Chelsea.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
20:31 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea are fortunate that referee Erik Lambrechts was busy far away from where their set piece coach Bernardo Cueva just sarcastically clapped one of his decisions. That would have been an immediate booking if it had been seen.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:29 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: A better delivery from James on that corner lands at the near post and calls goalkeeper Gorter into action. He punches clear.
Chelsea come again but are denied the chance to attack as a Pafos player is down injured in the box following deeply innocuous contact with Fernandez.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:28 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: Another Neto cross goes begging, this time after Luckassen intervenes to deny Garnacho a shooting chance. Neto is having a good game off the right flank, it must be said. Looks very threatening.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:26 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: Neto gets another tantalising cross in for Fernandez, but it is just too far in front of him.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:25 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: Jorgensen does well to deal with a ropey backpass from Gusto. Very composed from the Swede.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:23 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: Appeals for a penalty as a Chelsea cross is blocked and those on the scene are asking for a handball. Referee unperturbed.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
20:18 , Arthur FerridgeLarge sections of the crowd were celebrating that James shot, thinking it was in - a bit like Raheem Sterling's ghost goal for England at the 2014 World Cup against Italy which went in but, actually, didn't. Alas, it stays 0-0. Fernandez then thinks he's scored the opener, but the flag is raised. Frustration for Chelsea.
NO GOAL! Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:18 , Arthur Ferridge17mins: That should have been the opener! Fernandez heads home from Neto’s cross, but the flag is up.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:17 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: James very nearly redeems his shaky start as he shoots from range, but his effort flashes narrowly wide of the right post. That is the closest either side has come.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:16 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: James loops a deep cross into the box but it is overhit and goes behind for a goal-kick.
Fan reaction: Chelsea slow to start
20:15 , Arthur FerridgeWe've misplaced passes and lost the ball 4 times in under 13 minutes. What is going on? #CHEPAF #CFC #KTBFFH #UCL
— Eswar (@EswarPillai) January 21, 2026
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Neto dances in off the right flank and slaps another shot towards Gorter’s goal, but watches on as it sails into the Matthew Harding stand.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:10 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: An injury worry for Pafos here as Bruno goes down hurt. He looks O.K. to continue, though.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:09 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: Some lovely close-quarters football from Chelsea has Neto through on goal, but he rather telegraphs his curling effort and it is duly blocked.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
20:07 , Arthur FerridgeThat's twice now that the Pafos away fans have given a loud cheer after a careless misplaced pass by Chelsea. The hosts need to settle here and establish some control. They don't have it yet.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: Pafos come forward for the first time and Chelsea are all at sea. Hato makes the tackle but the Blues cannot play out of their visitors’ press. Bit of a ropey start from the Blues.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:05 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: James’ delivery from the free-kick is poor, and does not beat the first man.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:04 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: Garnacho is brought down on the right flank, and Chelsea have their first set-piece of the afternoon.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:04 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: A ball is lofted forward to Garnacho, but he is beaten to it by a white-shirted defender.
Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:03 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: It has been a tentative start in west London. Chelsea are on the ball in the early stages, but are settling in for a typically patient start to action.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-0 Pafos
20:01 , Arthur FerridgeEnzo Fernandez gets us underway in the west London drizzle.
Nearly time to go...
19:56 , Arthur FerridgeThe Liquidator is playing and the squads have taken to the Stamford Bridge pitch.
Kick-off, moments away.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
19:52 , Arthur FerridgeIt is a shame that David Luiz is starting on the bench for Pafos this afternoon given the romance of the 38-year-old's romantic return to Stamford Bridge, but I am sure we will see him emerge from the bench at some stage.
Team news reminder
19:50 , Arthur FerridgeTen minutes until we get underway in west London. Here’s a reminder of how tonight’s teams look.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato; James, Caicedo; Neto, Enzo, Garnacho; Delap
Pafos XI: Gorter, Pileas, Bruno Felipe, Jaja, Sema, Orsic, Luckassen, Sunjic, Dragomir, Anderson, Pepe
Rosenior explains Palmer absence
19:47 , Arthur FerridgeLiam Rosenior explains why Cole Palmer misses out this evening.
“Cole felt a little bit of tightness in his thigh.
“He just misses out, but he should be absolutely fine for Sunday.
“I’ve got to manage the squad as best as possible and make sure we are fit throughout the season with the sheer amount of games we’ve got in a short space of time.”
Transfer news: Chelsea close to Sheffield Wednesday youngster
19:42 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Sheffield Wednesday’s 17-year-old left-back Yisa Alao.
Standard Sport understands Chelsea are confident of getting the deal done after emerging as the frontrunners ahead of Manchester United, who are also keen on signing Alao and have also been in negotiations with the Championship’s bottom club.
The initial fee paid to Wednesday for the teenager is expected to be around £500,000, but add-ons could take the eventual fee to double that.
Delap targeting World Cup berth
19:35 , Arthur FerridgeLiam Delap said pre-match that he hopes to make it into Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad this summer.
He is yet to make a senior appearance for England, so will have to get himself amongst the goals if he is to do so. Why not start in that pursuit this evening?
“Yeah, of course [the World Cup is a target],” he said. “I think every little kid's dream is to go and represent your country at a World Cup, and I just need to keep my head down and keep working hard.
“I know the goals will come and if the goals are coming then you never know, so we'll see.”
Asked whether he has had any communication from the FA over a possible inclusion to understudy captain Harry Kane, he replied: “No, I know myself, I just need to consistently perform at Chelsea and consistently score and do well, and then see what they have to say.”
Back in west London
19:27 , Arthur FerridgeDavid Luiz returns to Stamford Bridge!
Pafos manager has Chelsea previous
19:27 , Arthur FerridgePafos manager Albert Celades, who has been in his job for just two weeks, has won at Stamford Bridge once before.
His Valencia side beat Frank Lampard’s Blues 1-0 in 2019.
On the Chelsea bench
19:20 , Arthur FerridgeLandon Emenalo is on the Chelsea bench this evening and could stand to make his senior debut for the club.
The 2008-born midfielder is the son of Michael Emenalo, formerly Chelsea technical director.
He is one of several academy prospects on the bench, joined there by Reggie Walsh and Tyrique George.
Dom Smith previews this evening's action
19:15 , Arthur FerridgeEverything you need to know about Chelsea vs Pafos, live from Stamford Bridge.
🗣️ "Chelsea have work to do if they are to finish to the top eight"
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) January 21, 2026
🎙️ @MrDomSmith tells you why tonight matters, live and direct from the Stamford Bridge press box
LIVE: https://t.co/SJW79vs11t#CHEPAF | #UCL pic.twitter.com/SkOmglea5f
Fan reaction: "No issues"
19:10 , Arthur FerridgeGood enough to win tonight, got no issues. #CFC #CHEPAF https://t.co/iOclx4qWXT
— CFC Luke (@CFCLukeyy) January 21, 2026
Fan reaction: Palmer panic
19:05 , Arthur FerridgeWhere is Cole Palmer?#CHEPAF
— Chelsea Nigeria (@ErnestFc3) January 21, 2026
Chelsea XI
19:00 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea are without Cole Palmer here, but Enzo Fernandez is deemed healthy enough to start after playing through illness at the weekend.
Liam Rosenior has taken a shine to Jorrel Hato since arriving at Chelsea and the Dutchman starts here.
Estevao and Jamie Gittens are both on the bench after recovering from illness.
CONFIRMED PAFOS TEAM NEWS
18:53 , Arthur FerridgeDavid Luiz is only fit enough for the bench here.
Pafos XI: Gorter, Pileas, Bruno Felipe, Jaja, Sema, Orsic, Luckassen, Sunjic, Dragomir, Anderson, Pepe
Subs: Michael, Petrou, David Luiz, Goldar, Landa, G. Michael, Caldieraro, Quina, Bassouamina, Dimata
CONFIRMED CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
18:47 , Arthur FerridgeLiam Rosenior’s first Champions League XI is in!
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato; James, Caicedo; Neto, Enzo, Garnacho; Delap
Subs: Sanchez, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Emenalo, Andrey Santos, Walsh, George, Estevao, Gittens, Joao Pedro, Guiu
Advantage Chelsea?
18:40 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea should come into this match with the upper hand for a wide variety of reasons, but they have one key advantage over their Cypriot visitors this evening.
That is down to the weather, which this evening is distinctly British: cold, getting colder, and persistently rainy.
The Blues will hope that gives them a leg-up over their Meditteranean opposition.
Match preview: Chelsea vs Pafos
18:32 , Arthur FerridgeA lot can happen in three and a half years; just ask the two Liams at Chelsea, writes Standard Sport’s Dom Smith.
Liam Delap and his head coach Liam Rosenior were sat taking questions from the media at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday ahead of tonight’s Champions League match against Pafos, their individual journeys to get to this point an inevitable topic of discussion.
A good 873 days ago - the day after Chelsea spent their smartest £42.5million under current ownership to sign Cole Palmer from Manchester City - Rosenior’s Hull claimed a 1-0 win over Enzo Maresca’s Leicester in the Championship. The scorer: Delap.
These are early days for Rosenior at Chelsea but for Delap they feel familiar, as he is reunited with a manager who squeezed plenty out of him in his season on loan at Hull from Manchester City.
READ HIS FULL MATCH PREVIEW HERE!
David Luiz previews Chelsea reunion
18:24 , Arthur FerridgeSpeaking ahead of this match, David Luiz refused to apologise for past victories over Chelsea and threatened to pull off a huge upset this evening.
Of past matches against Chelsea, he said: “I always had to do my job, you know? My family has to eat, I have to pay my bills, and when you are working for something, you have to fight.”
On returning to Stamford Bridge, he added: “It’s a gift from God to be back here again. I had the opportunity to be back in Europe again, and then God was great with me again, put Pafos in the Champions League, and now we are here playing against Chelsea.
“I have seen some familiar faces, and this kind of connection is what makes this place special.”
Of the 2012 Champions League final: “The best moment of my career, for sure, was the night in Munich,” he beamed, looking back at that unexpected glory. “It was a special night for everybody, and I’m never going to forget it. In this stadium? I have many great memories. My first goal here against Man Utd was amazing. It made me understand what Chelsea is.”
Welcome back, David Luiz
18:16 , Arthur FerridgeDavid Luiz faces Chelsea this evening for the first time since 2020.
He enjoyed two hugely decorated spells with the club, famously playing the 2012 Champions League final with a torn hamstring as Chelsea downed Bayern Munich in their own back yard.
Other accolades include the 2016-17 Premier League title, two FA Cups, and two Europa League titles.
He has a fairly good record playing against Chelsea, though, only losing to them once in seven attempts.
Chelsea predicted XI
18:08 , Arthur FerridgeStandard Sport’s Dom Smith looks to predict how Chelsea may line up this evening, and he foresees some rotation...
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Gusto, Acheampong, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Neto, Estevao, Gittens; Delap
Injuries: Tosin, Lavia, Colwill
Doubt: Fernandez
Standard Sport prediction: Three more points for Rosenior
18:00 , Arthur FerridgeAfter opening his Chelsea tenure away to Charlton Athletic, Liam Rosenior has been handed another sympathetic fixture to open his Champions League account.
Chelsea have blown hot and cold in the Champions League so far this season. They were swept away by Bayern, dispatched Barcelona, and drew to Qarabag.
They are a harder side to predict than ever, but Rosenior will expect his squad’s class to elevate them above the Cypriot champions.
Pafos have shown, however, that they are capable of slaying giants. They stunned Villarreal last year, and have battled to deserved draws with some credible sides.
Chelsea will need to be on guard, then, but will fully expect to take three points.
Chelsea to win, 3-0
Early Champions League kick-offs: Early goals galore
17:55 , Arthur FerridgeThere are two early kick-offs in the Champions League this evening.
Galatasaray are hosting Atletico Madrid and trail by one goal to nil after just five minutes.
Elsewhere, Qarabag opened the scoring against Eintracht Frankfurt after four!
Pafos early team news: David Luiz to feature?
17:51 , Arthur FerridgeReturning to Stamford Bridge for the first time in six years, David Luiz may not touch the pitch. He is carrying an injury and trained ahead of the match but is expected to undergo a late fitness test.
The Pafos press officer Christoforos Mattheou said: “If he is not selected, it will be a big loss for us, but also for him. He would really like to play against his former team that made history, but let's not wait to see if he will be retained in the squad."
Spanish defender David Goldar may also miss out, as will midfielder Joao Correia.
Chelsea early team news: Virus troubles continue
17:43 , Arthur FerridgeRosenior has a few injury concerns weighing heavily on his mind ahead of this match, chief among them Cole Palmer.
Chelsea’s talisman has been plagued with a persistent groin injury this season and played 90 minutes against Brentford on Saturday, but looked to be in some pain at the full-time whistle. It remains to be seen whether he will be involved in midweek.
Elsewhere, Estevao and Jamie Gittens both missed the Brentford match through illness, and it is not yet clear how involved they will be this evening.
Malo Gusto is a doubt as he looks to shake off ‘pain’ felt ahead of the Brentford match.
Tosin Adarabioyo may miss out with a hamstring problem. Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia are still in recovery from long-term injuries.
How to watch Chelsea vs Pafos
17:35 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 3, with coverage starting at 7pm ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Good evening
17:26 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Pafos in the Champions League!
It is a gentle introduction to the competition for Liam Rosenior, who is out to continue his positive start to life in west London. Can he get three points for Chelsea here?
Follow along for all the latest team news, match updates, and fan reaction from Stamford Bridge, complete with analysis from our very own Dom Smith in the press box.
Kick-off is pencilled in for 8pm. Stick with us!
