Sports
Chelsea star out for a month through injury with January transfer stance shared
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is set to be without one star for a month through injury, with their stance on a January transfer solution also revealed.
Chelsea lose Champions League ground amid suspension and injury woes
Chelsea’s automatic Champions League qualification prospects suffered a significant setback in Bergamo on Tuesday evening as Maresca’s side surrendered a half-time advantage to lose 2-1 against Atalanta.
The Blues controlled proceedings during the opening period, with Joao Pedro sliding home his inaugural Champions League goal after Reece James’s precise delivery in the 25th minute.
However, a second-half capitulation, triggered by Gianluca Scamacca’s 55th-minute header and Charles De Ketelaere’s deflected 83rd-minute winner, leaves Chelsea precariously positioned in 11th place with two league phase games remaining.
Maresca confronts mounting selection dilemmas as Chelsea’s injury list continues to pose a real problem, as it has done all season.
The Italian has made more squad rotations than any other manager in the Premier League this term, with Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Enzo Fernández, Roméo Lavia, Pedro Neto, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo and Josh Acheampong all sidelined at various points this term through injury or suspension.
Mykhailo Mudryk also remains banned for alleged doping violations, though some surprise reports suggest he could actually return to action next month.
Mudryk poised for surprise January return as club eye Chelsea loan deal
The Ukrainian hasn’t played since November 2024.
Palmer, the Blues’ talisman, is still working his way back to full fitness as Maresca manages his workload meticulously.
The England international’s persistent fitness struggles have restricted him to just six appearances across all competitions this season, and Chelsea quite simply need him firing.
Maresca confirmed that Palmer cannot feature in consecutive matches within three-day periods right now, prioritising long-term availability over immediate selection.
Roméo Lavia’s latest in a long line of injury problems has depleted Chelsea’s midfield alongside Caicedo’s suspension, with it being unclear as to when the 21-year-old Belgian will return.
Colwill’s ruptured ACL sustained during pre-season means the promising defender is in line to miss the vast majority of 2025/2026, with Essugo sidelined after suffering a setback.
The most pressing of all these concerns, though, is Delap’s return to the treatment table.
Chelsea handed Liam Delap injury update
According to BBC journalist Nizaar Kinsella, Delap’s shoulder injury, sustained during Chelsea’s goalless draw with Bournemouth, appears significantly less serious than first feared.
The striker is now expected to return within four weeks rather than the two months originally mooted, which comes as good news for Chelsea, even if Maresca is poised to be minus Delap for a month.
The 22-year-old departed the Vitality Stadium in considerable distress, landing awkwardly after a first-half aerial challenge with Marcos Senesi and immediately sparking concerns about a prolonged absence.
Initial reports suggested Delap faced between six and eight weeks sidelined, potentially ruling him out until February and forcing Chelsea to accelerate Emmanuel Emegha’s pre-arranged summer transfer from Strasbourg.
However, subsequent scans delivered encouraging news by confirming no fracture, drastically reducing the recovery timeline.
Maresca had expressed genuine concern post-match, admitting the shoulder issue “looked quite bad” and lamenting Chelsea’s serious bad luck.
The revised timeline means Delap could potentially return before the January transfer window closes, alleviating immediate pressure to bolster Chelsea’s attacking options.
The England Under-21 international has endured a frustrating debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, having already missed two months earlier this season with a hamstring injury sustained in August.
Delap has managed just six starts across all competitions since his £30 million summer arrival from Ipswich, scoring once against Barcelona in the Champions League.
As the former Man City striker continues his recovery, it appears Marc Guiu and Pedro will continue shouldering striker responsibilities.
