A bizarre twist hits Chelsea right before their Champions League showdown with Barcelona. Just when it seemed one of their brightest attackers was set for a long-awaited comeback, fate took a cruel turn. After spending two months sidelined with a persistent groin problem, the England international suffered a freak accident at home last week—stubbing his toe on a door—which ended up fracturing his left little toe. A frustrating setback that rules him out just as he neared full fitness.
Chelsea’s weekend victory over Burnley ended on a positive note, though. The 2-0 win came without any new injury concerns, and key players Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, and Benoit Badiashile were all cleared to play. Head coach Enzo Maresca smartly rotated his squad, limiting Reece James to 45 minutes and taking Joao Pedro off in the second half to manage fatigue. This careful workload management could prove vital with Barcelona looming.
Moises Caicedo, who sat out the Burnley clash following a busy international break with Ecuador, is tipped to reclaim his midfield spot. It was the first time under Maresca’s management that the dynamic midfielder hadn’t featured in a Premier League game—an omission that raised some eyebrows. His expected return likely pushes young Andrey Santos back to the bench on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Estevao Willian, unused at the weekend, is seriously challenging for a starting berth after dazzling in recent weeks for both club and country. Another attacking option, Alejandro Garnacho, is well-rested after skipping Argentina’s latest training camp—a potential x-factor against the Spanish giants.
In defense, Maresca faces a selection headache. Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah got the nod at Turf Moor, but Wesley Fofana’s absence was purely precautionary to manage his recovery. Whether Fofana reins in immediately or continues to rest could shape Chelsea’s defensive stability against Barcelona’s potent attack.
Up front, the tactical choices remain open. Maresca may opt to start Joao Pedro as the main striker or instead persist with Liam Delap leading the line, moving Pedro into the more creative No.10 role he’s thrived in before. Each choice brings a different dynamic: Pedro’s composure and flair versus Delap’s direct pace and pressing.
As for long-term absentees, the list is still worryingly familiar: Dario Essugo, Levi Colwill, and Romeo Lavia remain unavailable. Their continued absence limits rotation options, especially in midfield and defense.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Garnacho; Delap.
Injured: Palmer, Essugo, Colwill, Lavia.
Match details: 8 p.m. GMT, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Stamford Bridge, London.
How to watch: Live on Amazon Prime Video.
But here’s where the debate heats up: Should Maresca risk Fofana and Pedro for such a high-stakes game, or preserve them for the Premier League campaign ahead? And is it time for Estevao to finally be unleashed on Europe’s biggest stage? Share your take—would you gamble on raw talent, or stick with proven experience?
