Chelsea injury news: Maresca cautious about Fernandez return for Champions League match against Ajax

A long list of injured players and a tendency to receive red cards are among Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s biggest concerns ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Ajax Amsterdam, as the team looks to steady the ship after a tumultuous September.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez may return to action after missing a week due to a knee injury, but Maresca said Chelsea would not rush the Argentina international back as they look for a fourth straight win in all competitions.

«Enzo took part in the session yesterday. We have another session this afternoon and we will decide with him tomorrow. It is not something we need to worry about. It is to try to protect Enzo,» Maresca told reporters on Tuesday.

Center back Benoit Badiashile was the latest Chelsea player to suffer a blow last week, sixth on the injury list.

“It’s difficult, especially because most of the injuries we had happened one or two days before the game,” Maresca said.

«We try to adapt. It’s complicated because sometimes you plan for some players to play for a week, but then you need that player because of a new injury.»

No penalty for players due to red cards

Chelsea are also facing a player discipline problem after receiving four red cards in their last six games.

«It’s definitely something we can do better. Some red cards we can avoid. The other side doesn’t want to give in and wants to stay aggressive,» Maresca added.

«Personally, I’m not a manager who punishes players. I have four children, if they do something wrong, I don’t punish them. I try to teach them to do the right things. I try to do this with the players too. This is the way I like to do things.»

But Chelsea, who enjoyed a three-match Premier League winning streak and lost their first Champions League match to Bayern Munich last month, have bounced back with a sloppy win over Benfica and back-to-back wins in the English top flight.

«We weren’t happy with the result at Bayern, but we were happy with the performance. We knew it was a difficult match,» Maresca said.

«Benfica, we tried to prepare the match to win the match in the best way, but when you face this kind of club there are always things you can learn after the match. Tomorrow it will be exactly the same.»

«It will be a difficult match. Ajax is a club that has won this competition in the past. They want to prove to everyone that they can come here and beat us. We will try to do exactly the same.»

Chelsea is eighteenth in the Champions League with three points from the first two games, while Ajax is second without a point after two defeats.

Published on October 21, 2025