Stamford Bridge is buzzing with anticipation as Chelsea prepare to host Ajax in a crucial Champions League clash on Wednesday night. The stakes are high for both clubs, but the mood in west London is buoyed by a string of positive developments on the injury front and a recent upturn in European form. With kick-off set for 8pm BST, fans are eager to see if Enzo Maresca’s side can build on their hard-fought victory over Benfica and keep their continental ambitions on track.
One of the biggest stories ahead of the match is the return of Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea training. Fernandez, a linchpin in the Blues’ midfield, had been a doubt after missing the 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest due to a knee issue sustained on international duty with Argentina. Fortunately for Chelsea, manager Enzo Maresca provided reassurance in his pre-match press conference, stating, “Enzo took part in the session yesterday. We have one more session this afternoon. We will see what we decide with him tomorrow. But we said before [that] it was not something we have to be worried about. It was just to try to protect Enzo.” The Argentine star’s presence, even if not guaranteed in the starting lineup, is a welcome boost as the Blues look to assert control in midfield against a struggling Ajax side.
Another headline from Cobham is the progress of £30 million summer signing Liam Delap. The young striker, sidelined since August with a hamstring injury picked up against Fulham, was initially feared to be out until November or December. But Maresca delivered an encouraging update: “Liam is very close. He is not working with us yet. He is still out. But hopefully he can start in the next days [training] with us.” Delap’s accelerated recovery is timely, especially given Chelsea’s recent striker reshuffle—Marc Guiu was recalled from his Sunderland loan to cover for Delap, while Nicolas Jackson departed for Bayern Munich in the final days of the summer window.
The Blues’ injury list, however, remains lengthy. Cole Palmer, a key creative force, is sidelined for six weeks due to a persistent groin problem. Benoit Badiashile is also out until December with a muscular complaint, while long-term absentees Dario Essugo, Levi Colwill, and Mykhailo Mudryk continue their rehabilitation. Malo Gusto is available for the Ajax match following his red card at Forest but will be suspended for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Sunderland. Meanwhile, Joao Pedro is suspended for the Ajax tie after picking up two yellow cards in the win over Benfica, adding to the selection headache for Maresca.
On the positive side, Chelsea welcomed back Andrey Santos and Tosin Adarabioyo from injury at the weekend. Reece James and Joao Pedro completed the full 90 minutes against Nottingham Forest after recent knocks, and Pedro Neto was fit to start after a scare. Moises Caicedo, still regaining full match sharpness, made a substitute appearance at halftime. Wesley Fofana, having recovered from a concussion suffered in last month’s Carabao Cup win over Lincoln, was omitted from the squad against Forest but could feature in upcoming fixtures.
With so many regulars missing, the onus falls on the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Guiu, and Pedro Neto to provide attacking spark. The trio will likely shoulder the responsibility of breaking down an Ajax defense that’s been anything but watertight in this season’s European campaign. Chelsea’s recent history against Ajax offers plenty of drama—who could forget the 4-4 thriller at Stamford Bridge in November 2019?—but the Dutch side arrive in London desperately seeking to change their fortunes.
Ajax, four-time winners of the competition, have endured a torrid start to their Champions League journey this season. Under the guidance of new manager John Heitinga, who joined after a stint on Arne Slot’s Liverpool staff, the Dutch giants have lost both of their opening group matches: a 2-0 home defeat to Inter Milan and a bruising 4-0 loss away to Marseille. The pressure is mounting on Heitinga, who’s still searching for his first European win at the Ajax helm.
The visitors’ squad for the trip to London is missing some notable names. Kasper Dolberg and Steven Berghuis have not traveled, depriving Ajax of two experienced attackers. However, there is some good news for the Dutch club: Owen Wijndal, Ko Itakura, and Don-Angelo Konadu are all available, as are Wout Weghorst and Davy Klaassen—familiar faces to Premier League fans from their spells at Manchester United and Everton, respectively.
On the Chelsea side, the absence of Palmer and Joao Pedro means Garnacho, Guiu, and Neto will be expected to step up. The Blues’ attacking options may be limited, but their recent 1-0 win over Benfica—secured on Jose Mourinho’s homecoming—has injected fresh belief into the squad. That victory helped erase the sting of an opening defeat to Bayern Munich in the new-look League Phase, and Maresca’s men are keen to make it back-to-back Champions League wins at Stamford Bridge.
The odds certainly favor Chelsea, with bookmakers listing them at 1/5 to win, while Ajax are long shots at 10/1 and a draw priced at 9/2. But as any seasoned supporter knows, Champions League nights are rarely predictable. Ajax may be down, but their pedigree and history in this competition mean they can’t be written off—especially with the memory of that epic 2019 draw still fresh in the minds of both sets of fans.
For those unable to attend in person, the match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the game via Discovery+ or follow minute-by-minute updates on Standard Sport’s live blog, where expert analysis will bring the drama straight to your device.
As the teams finalize preparations, the sense of expectation is palpable. Chelsea’s supporters are hoping that Fernandez’s return, Delap’s impending comeback, and the resilience shown by the squad’s fit-again stars will be enough to see off an Ajax team desperate to turn their season around. Will Stamford Bridge witness another European classic, or will the Blues’ depleted ranks prove costly?
With so many storylines converging—injury comebacks, tactical adjustments, and the weight of continental history—Wednesday’s showdown promises to be a night to remember. Whether the goals flow freely as predicted or the contest turns into a tactical battle, one thing is certain: under the lights in west London, the Champions League drama is far from over.
