Enzo Maresca has been handed a major injury update on the condition of one of his injured Chelsea stars after a renewed timeline on his return.
Chelsea’s injury list as Blues suffer Club World Cup consequences
Maresca’s side, given their involvement in the Club World Cup and European competition last term, were forced to play a combined total of 64 games across 24/25.
Chelsea’s triumph at the CWC yielded around £84 million in prize money and their Conference League win handed Chelsea a first major trophy since their Champions League title in 2021, becoming the first club in history to win all five European competitions recorded (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup, and Cup Winners’ Cup).
However, while history was made, their massive number of games appears to be having dire consequences for this season as key first-team stars struggle with injuries and fitness issues.
Enzo Fernández became the latest player to sustain a problem when he withdrew from international duty with Argentina. The midfielder has inflammation in his right knee, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be fit for Chelsea’s Premier League return against Nottingham Forest this weekend.
The £180,000-per-week star could join Cole Palmer, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Levi Colwill on the treatment table, with Andrey Santos and Tosin Adarabioyo also doubts to face Forest after not being spotted in any of the training photos released by Chelsea this week.
The duo both missed Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, with supporters forced to wait and find out whether they can play at the City Ground.
|
Chelsea injury worries |
Problem |
Potential return date |
|---|---|---|
|
Enzo Fernández |
Knee |
Unknown |
|
Cole Palmer |
Groin |
November |
|
Andrey Santos |
Knock |
Unknown |
|
Tosin Adarabioyo |
Calf |
Nottingham Forest |
|
Dario Essugo |
Thigh |
Early 2026 |
|
Liam Delap |
Hamstring |
November |
|
Levi Colwill |
ACL |
Spring 2026 |
|
via Standard Sport |
||
Delap’s injury was particularly disappointing, as the striker signed from Ipswich last summer was brought on to spearhead Maresca’s forward line as Chelsea’s main vocal point of attack.
The former Man City starlet enjoyed an exceptional 2024/2025 at Portman Road, but a hamstring injury has forced Delap to wait patiently on the sidelines as he battles his way back to contention.
Chelsea handed major Liam Delap injury update amid renewed timeline
However, according to journalist Simon Phillips, Delap could now return from his Chelsea injury sooner than expected.
“It was bad news for all to hear that we wont be seeing him again until early 2026 and will have less than half a season to play out,” Phillips wrote via his Substack.
“However, SPTC sources have heard that his recovery is going well and has been positive so far. One source has even said that we could see him back on the grass by the end of October/early November.
“It’s important to note that this does not mean he will be back in a Chelsea squad then, it just means that the next step in his recovery is coming a bit quicker than first expected. He is doing well and once he’s back out on the grass, he will have some more weeks getting back to match fitness and strengthening the area around the injury before returning to team training — then the decision on his squad inclusion will be made by the medics, Enzo Maresca, and Delap.
“There is a good chance that he features in a Chelsea squad before the end of 2025 basing off this latest info we’ve had.”
The 22-year-old scored 12 Premier League goals last season, which was impressive considering he plied his trade for a team who underperformed and were relegated.
Delap’s early return from injury is set to be a huge boost for Chelsea.
The young centre-forward, who got off the mark for Maresca’s side at the CWC with a goal against Esperance, has shown great promise already with his physicality, sharp movement and clinical finishing — making him an invaluable attacking option.
His presence will add a different dimension to the team’s frontline, capable of holding up play and linking effectively with Chelsea’s creative midfielders. The team have also often lacked a reliable finisher to capitalize on chances, and Delap could really help to solve this problem.
