Chelsea fans are breathing a little easier after a week that saw the Blues pull off a dramatic 2-1 win over reigning Premier League champions Liverpool, capped by a 95th-minute stunner from Estevao. The result not only delivered back-to-back victories for Enzo Maresca’s side—coming hot on the heels of a 1-0 Champions League triumph over Benfica, now managed by Jose Mourinho—but also injected a much-needed jolt of optimism into a squad battered by injuries.
The victory over Liverpool, secured deep into stoppage time, was all the more remarkable given the depleted state of Chelsea’s roster. With a growing injury list, Maresca was forced to improvise, finishing the match with makeshift central defenders Reece James and Jorrel Hato. That patchwork defense held firm, and Estevao’s late heroics sent Stamford Bridge into raptures. But as the celebrations faded, the focus quickly shifted to the toll the match had taken on Chelsea’s already stretched squad.
Perhaps the most concerning development for Blues supporters was the news that captain Reece James had sustained an injury during the Liverpool clash. Despite playing the full 90 minutes and finishing the match in central defense, James withdrew from England duty for the upcoming fixtures against Wales and Latvia. According to an official statement, "The Chelsea captain sustained an injury playing for his club over the weekend and has been ruled out of England’s October internationals following medical assessments." James, who has been a near ever-present for Chelsea this season after a string of injury-hit campaigns, now faces an uncertain timeline for his return. The club’s medical team will use the October international break to further assess and rest their skipper, with his availability for the next Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest still up in the air.
James wasn’t the only casualty from the Liverpool match. Young defender Josh Acheampong, making just his second start of the season, was substituted as a precaution late in the game. Assistant coach Willy Caballero reassured fans, stating, "The two central defenders, it was just prevention. They made a great effort today, but just prevention. We spoke with them already and they said that they are okay, so [it is] good for us." Acheampong is expected to be available after the break, potentially returning for the Forest clash.
Benoit Badiashile, who had just returned from a 94-day layoff to start against Benfica, also limped off against Liverpool, raising fears of a relapse. Fortunately, medical assessments have since cleared him for a likely return after the international break. Meanwhile, Andrey Santos missed both the Benfica and Liverpool fixtures with a minor problem. Maresca explained, "We lost Andrey Santos, who will be out until after the international break. We have seven or eight players out. It is difficult to pick the same XI, but it is what it is. We need to adapt." Santos is set to rejoin the squad for the Forest match.
Cole Palmer’s absence has also been keenly felt. The attacking midfielder has been sidelined since aggravating a groin injury against Manchester United last month. Maresca revealed before the Liverpool game, "I don't have any update at the moment [on Palmer]. We have a meeting this week." Palmer was seen supporting his teammates from the stands and even congratulated Estevao on his match-winning goal, but his return hinges on further medical evaluation. The hope is that he will be fit for selection after the break.
Defensive woes have been compounded by the loss of Wesley Fofana, who suffered a concussion in a Carabao Cup win over Lincoln. The French center-back is following concussion protocols and should be available for the Forest fixture. Tosin Adarabioyo, another central defender, is also expected to return after recovering from a calf injury sustained in late September.
However, not all the injury news is positive. Dario Essugo, a summer signing, underwent surgery on a thigh injury picked up while on Portugal Under-21 duty. The club confirmed, "Medical assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action and Dario will now begin his recovery at Cobham, supported by the club's medical department." Essugo is not expected back until early 2026. The situation is even more dire for Levi Colwill, who suffered an ACL injury after the Club World Cup and underwent surgery. The club’s statement read, "Defender Levi Colwill has today undergone successful surgery to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Levi will now begin his recovery and be supported by the club's medical department at Cobham during his rehabilitation phase." Colwill is likely to miss most of the 2025-26 season, with a potential return in the spring.
Liam Delap, another summer acquisition, faces an uncertain spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury against Fulham. Maresca initially estimated a six-to-eight week recovery, but recent reports suggest Delap could be out even longer as he undergoes further scans. His return date remains unknown, casting doubt over Chelsea’s attacking options heading into the winter months.
Adding to the list of absentees, Moises Caicedo was left out of Ecuador’s squad for their friendlies against the United States and Mexico as a precaution due to injury. Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece explained, "About Moises, his coach [Enzo Maresca] said he’s injured. He’s not well, but he’s so ambitious and committed that he always wants to perform like he did against Argentina. We’re reconsidering whether he’ll be included in the squad." The expectation, however, is that Caicedo will be available for Chelsea’s next league match.
With so many key players sidelined, the international break could not have come at a better time for Chelsea. The pause offers a much-needed window for recovery, and the club is optimistic about welcoming back several crucial squad members for the trip to Nottingham Forest. Palmer, Acheampong, Badiashile, Santos, Fofana, Adarabioyo, and possibly Caicedo are all targeting returns, which would bolster Maresca’s options as Chelsea look to build on their recent momentum.
Meanwhile, the injury crisis has forced Maresca to experiment with his lineup, often fielding players out of their natural positions. Reece James, typically a right-back, has been deployed in central defense, while young talents like Jorrel Hato have been thrust into the spotlight. Despite these challenges, Chelsea’s resilience has shone through, epitomized by their gritty performances against both Benfica and Liverpool.
The Blues’ ability to grind out results under adversity has not gone unnoticed. As Maresca and his staff work tirelessly to manage the squad’s health, the hope is that the worst of the injury storm is now behind them. With a refreshed roster and renewed confidence, Chelsea will aim to climb the Premier League table and make a deeper run in Europe as the season progresses.
For now, Chelsea supporters can savor a hard-fought victory and look forward to a brighter, healthier second act after the international break. The return of key players could prove pivotal as the Blues seek to turn their campaign around and reassert themselves among the league’s elite.
