Fitness Timelines Released for Chelsea Trio | OneFootball

Chelsea Latest Injury Concerns Overshadow Strong Start to Season

Injury setbacks threaten Chelsea’s early momentum

Chelsea’s bright start to the Premier League campaign has been dampened by a growing injury list. Enzo Maresca’s side briefly topped the table after back-to-back derby wins over West Ham and Fulham, following a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, yet the headlines are now dominated by fitness concerns.

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The intensity of Chelsea’s year is evident. They triumphed at the inaugural summer Club World Cup in the United States, a demanding run that left little time for recovery ahead of a compressed pre-season. Now the effects are being felt. Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile remain sidelined, while Levi Colwill is out for most of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Mykhailo Mudryk has also been unavailable.

Although Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro appeared to shake off knocks against Fulham, Liam Delap’s injury has added further disruption. Chelsea face a critical spell after the international break, with a London derby against Brentford followed by challenging fixtures against Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Liverpool.

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Palmer’s groin injury monitored closely

Cole Palmer was a late withdrawal against West Ham after suffering a groin problem in the warm-up. Maresca later confirmed the forward had been carrying the injury since the opening game.

He missed the Fulham match and was not included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. Maresca described his situation as “day by day,” offering little certainty about his immediate availability.

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Chelsea supporters will be hoping for a swift recovery, with Palmer having been instrumental to the team’s early success.

Potential return date: September

Delap faces extended spell out

Chelsea’s £30 million summer signing Liam Delap was forced off just 15 minutes into the Fulham match after clutching his hamstring while chasing a long ball. Maresca admitted after the game that such an injury “usually meant six to eight weeks on the sidelines.”

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The timing was unfortunate, coinciding with the confirmation of Christopher Nkunku’s permanent move to AC Milan and the collapse of Nicolas Jackson’s loan switch to Bayern Munich.

Reports suggest Delap’s absence may extend beyond initial expectations, pending the results of a scan. His potential return date is currently unclear, leaving Chelsea short of options in attack.

Potential return date: Unknown

Midfield and defence hit by prolonged absences

Romeo Lavia has not featured since Chelsea’s Club World Cup last-16 win over Benfica in June, sidelined with a muscle injury. Maresca has said he expects Lavia to move closer to full fitness after the international break but warned he will not be ready immediately.

Benoit Badiashile finds himself in a similar situation, having also been injured in that match against Benfica. Chelsea’s defensive depth is already under strain with Colwill recovering from an ACL injury that will rule him out for most of the season.

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Both Lavia and Badiashile are working towards returns in September or October, though Maresca has been cautious in providing timelines.

Potential return date (Lavia): September/OctoberPotential return date (Badiashile): September/October

Chelsea’s positive start to the campaign has highlighted Maresca’s tactical work, but injuries to key players could easily disrupt their rhythm. The squad’s depth, which was widely praised in pre-season, is now being tested at a time when fixtures are intensifying. Brentford, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Liverpool represent a challenging run, and Chelsea will need reinforcements back quickly to sustain their promising form.

For Maresca, the international break offers a chance to regroup, but with so many key figures unavailable, it is also a reminder of how fragile early-season momentum can be.