Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has shared an injury update ahead of their visit to Selhurst Park.
The Blues are set to face Crystal Palace in a Premier League match on Saturday, January 4.
Despite an impressive 2024-25 season so far, where they currently sit fourth in the standings, recent weeks have been challenging with no wins in their last three games, including two losses and a draw. ..Continue Reading
Aiming to bounce back against Crystal Palace, Maresca revealed in his pre-match press conference that while Reece James is available, four players will be sidelined for the clash.
These players are Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
“Reece is back already,” Maresca said (via Absolute Chelsea). “Romeo is very close. He’s started to work with us. Kiernan is still out. Wes will be out for a very long time. Benoit will be out at least until February.”
James has been grappling with multiple injury problems this season. He has only made four appearances so far and was on the bench for their 2-0 loss to Ipswich Town last week.
Dewsbury-Hall’s last appearance for Chelsea was during their 5-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Europa Conference League on December 20.
Meanwhile, Lavia and Badiashile have been sidelined since their 4-3 win against Tottenham Hotspur on December 8. Fofana last played in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa on December 1.
The Italian manager has confirmed that Wesley Fofana faces a long-term absence and could potentially miss the rest of the season.
He said (via Chelseafc.com): “With Wes, we don’t know exactly how long he could be out for but he has a hamstring injury and unfortunately we are going to lose him for a while. I have said many times that I love Wes and of course not having him available is a huge loss for us.”
Fofana has featured in 12 Premier League matches for Chelsea this season, contributing to one clean sheet.
He was in the starting lineup for their 3-0 victory against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on December 1 but had to be substituted off in the 60th minute.
Overall, the Blues have managed to secure four clean sheets in the Premier League this season.
