Report: Chelsea could be without as many as five players for crunch Crystal Palace clash | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca could be without as many as five players for Chelsea’s trip to Crystal Palace this weekend according to reports.

The Blues head to Selhurst Park in a difficult moment with Maresca’s men now winless in their last three games having lost to Ipswich on Monday night.

It’s now one point and one goal in the last three matches and back to back defeats for the first time this season, whilst the Blues are now just three points ahead of fifth placed Newcastle.

Maresca could be without five players for Palace clash

Enzo Maresca made five changes for the trip to Ipswich and it will be interesting to see what changes he makes for Saturday afternoon.

We are highly unlikely to see Axel Disasi at right back again, whilst Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke failed to impress at Portman Road, so it would be a surprise if Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho didn’t all return.

Chelsea endured a torrid time against Ipswich on Monday evening. (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

It’s the first difficult spell Chelsea have faced this season and it’s something Maresca admitted he knew would happen at some point.

Palace currently sit 15th and five points above the relegation zone, but it’s set to be a tough afternoon for the Blues, with London World reporting they could be without as many as five players.

Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are both still absent in a big blow for the Blues defensively, whilst it’s unclear what the latest is with Romeo Lavia, who hasn’t featured since the win against Tottenham, although Marsesca has said he’s close to a return.

More Stories / Latest News

Report: Chelsea could be without as many as five players for crunch Crystal Palace clash

1st Jan 2025, 10:00am

“If you think it’s time to have turkey” – Mikel launches expletive ridden rant on Chelsea’s December form

1st Jan 2025, 09:30am

“In the summer I think we might see” – John Obi Mikel lifts the lid on potential Chelsea transfer plans

1st Jan 2025, 09:00am

The report adds the Blues could also be without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who Maresca confirmed was injured, whilst Carney Chukwuemeka is believed to have been suffering with illness, although he’s not made a single match day squad in the league this season.

Despite Chelsea’s squad depth the Blues don’t have an awful lot of options available to them at the moment and it feels like it could be a difficult afternoon on Saturday with the players really needing to respond.