Chelsea entered the season with a squad that looked well-stocked and ready to compete on multiple fronts. The summer transfer activity suggested a team prepared to challenge on all four major competitions.
However, just three games into the season, the Blues are already feeling the strain. Injuries and fatigue have left the squad stretched thin.
Some players are sidelined with confirmed injuries, including Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, and Dario Essugo. Others are recovering and may be fit but not yet ready to start matches—Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, and Wesley Fofana fall into this category.
Additionally, several key players are dealing with the effects of extensive international duty and long travel, such as Moises Caicedo, Estevao Willian, Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro, Reece James, and Marc Cucurella.
With such a stretched squad, Enzo Maresca faces tough decisions. Up front, he must choose between a fatigued Joao Pedro or the recently returned Marc Guiu. In midfield, Enzo Fernandez’s recent break is a rare advantage, as Lavia, Santos, and Caicedo are unlikely to handle a full 90 minutes.
New signings Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Buonanotte, still adjusting to the team, might be thrown into action out of necessity. Even Tyrique George, who nearly moved to Fulham on Deadline Day, could see first-team minutes in the very next match.
Ultimately, it may be wiser for Maresca to field a weakened team and risk dropping points now, rather than pushing fatigued players and risking injuries that could cost far more in the long run.
