Enzo Maresca receives huge injury boost ahead of Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Chelsea return from the international break with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, October 18, and Enzo Maresca has received some positive news.
It was joy for the Blues last time out, as Estevao’s late winner secured Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
That victory left Maresca’s men in seventh position, level on points with Everton, and only five shy of league leaders and Premier League title favourites, Arsenal.
As for Nottingham Forest, they’re ready to regroup after a disastrous start to Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, with the Australian drawing two and losing five of his opening seven matches in charge.
Postecoglou was placed under increased pressure before the break following Forest’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, and it could be about to get a whole lot worse.
Enzo Fernandez is fit to start vs Nottingham Forest
Enzo Fernandez is a key cog in Maresca’s system, and the Argentine international has played 90 minutes in all but one Premier League game while scoring three goals.
The 24-year-old has formed an indispensable partnership alongside Moises Caicedo, though ahead of their visit to Nottingham, there were doubts over his fitness.
Enzo withdrew from international duty with Argentina due to ‘inflammation of the knee’, but it was understood that he always planned to miss the friendly match with Puerto Rico this week as he wanted to see family during his leave.
Now, according to BBC Sport, Enzo is fit and ready to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and that is music to Maresca’s ears.
With Cole Palmer set to return from injury in November, the Italian needs his midfield conductor to produce some quality in the final third.
Chelsea’s H2H record vs Nottingham Forest
Chelsea will only consider selling Enzo for over £100million after receiving interest from Real Madrid, and ahead of their clash at the City Ground, history is on their side.
| Date | Fixture | W/DL | Scoreline | Competition |
| 28 Jan 2007 | Chelsea v Nottingham Forest | W | 3-0 | FA Cup |
| 20 Sep 2017 | Chelsea v Nottingham Forest | W | 5-1 | League Cup |
| 05 Jan 2019 | Chelsea v Nottingham Forest | W | 2-0 | FA Cup |
| 05 Jan 2020 | Chelsea v Nottingham Forest | W | 2-0 | FA Cup |
| 01 Jan 2023 | Nottingham Forest v Chelsea | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 13 May 2023 | Chelsea v Nottingham Forest | D | 2-2 | Premier League |
| 02 Sep 2023 | Chelsea v Nottingham Forest | L | 0-1 | Premier League |
| 11 May 2024 | Nottingham Forest v Chelsea | W | 2-3 | Premier League |
| 06 Oct 2024 | Chelsea v Nottingham Forest | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 25 May 2025 | Nottingham Forest v Chelsea | W | 0-1 | Premier League |
The Blues have only lost one of their last 10 meetings against this weekend’s opponents, and that was in September 2023 when Anthony Elanga scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win.
Indeed, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last four visits to Nottingham Forest, and they’ll be aiming to make it five on Saturday lunchtime.