Chelsea’s injury crisis has hit a new low during the international break, as Enzo Fernandez has been forced to withdraw from the Argentina squad. The talented No8 has exited the national team camp and is heading back to London due to swelling in his right knee. This setback has added to Chelsea’s growing list of injured players, making fans nervous about the team’s upcoming matches. Fernandez, a key player for the Blues this season, has scored three goals, making him one of the top scorers alongside Moises Caicedo. Unfortunately, Caicedo is also nursing an injury and was not in action for Ecuador during the break.
The plan was for Fernandez to sit out Argentina’s friendly against Puerto Rico, giving him some much-needed rest. The hope is that he will be fit to play against Nottingham Forest next Saturday. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will welcome the two-week break for several other players, including Joao Pedro, Reece James, Cole Palmer, and Caicedo. Meanwhile, Josh Acheampong made a return for England’s Under-21s after picking up an injury against Liverpool. Additionally, the return of injury-prone players Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana will provide some relief for the team ahead of their match against Forest.
If Fernandez is unable to play against Forest, the logical choice to replace him would be fellow Argentine Facundo Buonanotte. It is likely that Caicedo will be joined by Lavia or James in midfield for the upcoming game. With Trevoh Chalobah returning from suspension and the potential comeback of Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, and Palmer, Chelsea will have some key players back in action this month. Maresca will not be on the touchline for the Forest game, as he will be replaced by Willy Caballero due to a second yellow card he received for celebrating a late winner against Liverpool.
Overall, Chelsea’s injury crisis continues to pose challenges for the team, but the return of some players and the potential lineup changes offer hope for better days ahead. The upcoming matches will be crucial for the Blues as they aim to overcome these setbacks and secure important victories in their campaign. Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like Chelsea fans will have to buckle up for a rollercoaster ride in the coming weeks.
