Enzo Maresca has Trevoh Chalobah available to him ahead of Chelsea’s first match of the new campaign.
The world champions face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but lost a key starting player when Levi Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during training. That came days after Chalobah hobbled off with an ankle injury in their pre-season friendly against AC Milan.
But Maresca has since allayed fears of a lay-off for Chalobah and believes he could play against his former club Palace on Sunday.
“Trev is okay,” he said. The England international is expected to feature if called upon.
Asked whether Wesley Fofana is available, Maresca said: “He could be available. We will see.”
Romeo Lavia has not featured for Chelsea since completing 85 minutes in a round of 16 win over Benfica at the Club World Cup, when he suffered a “small muscle problem”.
Speaking on Friday morning, Maresca said: “Benoit [Badiashile] is in the process of coming back, Romeo [Lavia] the same.”
In midfield, Maresca has more options now that Dario Essugo and Andrey Santos have joined the club, but he is likely to start Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez next to each other, with Cole Palmer either as a No10 or on the right wing.
Maresca must decide whether the select Joao Pedro or Liam Delap up front. One option would be to play Pedro as a winger, though he has staked a claim to lead the line alone after starring at the Club World Cup and continuing that form in pre-season.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro
Doubt: Fofana
Injured: Badiashile, Colwill, Lavia
Time and date: 2pm BST, Sunday, August 17, 2025
Venue: Stamford Bridge
How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event
