Enzo Maresca will be delighted as huge injury boost revealed ahead of Chelsea vs Barcelona
Chelsea have just been handed a huge advantage in their upcoming Champions League clash with Barcelona on Tuesday night.
The Blues are preparing to welcome the Spanish giants to Stamford Bridge for their latest continental clash, as they look to secure a victory that would take them above their opponents and potentially into the top eight of the Champions League.
Chelsea notched a routine 2-0 victory over Burnley at the weekend, as goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez lifted them up to second in the Premier League table.
Enzo Maresca’s side are enjoying a run of just one defeat in their last 10 games in all competitions, and the boss is sure to be delighted with the latest news on the injury front before the midweek clash.
Pedri is a ‘serious doubt’ for Chelsea clash
The big injury news at Chelsea has been Cole Palmer’s latest setback, as he is facing another few weeks on the sidelines as a result of a fractured toe sustained during an accident away from the club.
The Blues’ talisman had seemingly been nearing a return to action of late, but he will now have to wait a little longer before he is ready to get his first minutes since September.
Palmer’s latest issue is a frustrating blow for Maresca and his staff, but he can at least take solace from the fact that his opposite number Hansi Flick also looks set to be without a vital component of his team on Tuesday.
Pedri is understood to be a “serious doubt” for Barcelona’s trip to Stamford Bridge, with Spanish outlet Marca reporting that he wasn’t part of the senior group that trained on Sunday ahead of the game.
The influential midfielder has been out of action since he was sent off against Real Madrid at the end of October, and while the door is “not yet closed” on the possibility of him playing a part against Chelsea, it appears to be highly unlikely.
Maresca will certainly be pleased to learn of the 22-year-old’s likely absence for the clash, and he will likely already have a plan in mind to try and exploit the absence of the former European Golden Boy winner.
Enzo Fernandez to dictate game vs Barcelona
Football Insider exclusively revealed back in October that Real Madrid are keen to sign Fernandez from Chelsea, and it is no real surprise given the quality of his performances so far this season.
The Argentine already has five goal contributions from his opening 11 Premier League games so far in 2025-26, a return that puts him on track for the most productive campaign since he moved to England.
Fernandez has become a vital component for his team in recent months, and with Pedri likely to be out of the upcoming game, Maresca will surely hope that his star can totally dictate the midfield throughout the 90 minutes.
Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casado are the likely opponents for Fernandez in the middle of the park, but Chelsea will surely back the energy of him and Moises Caicedo to overrun their visitors in the middle third.
Both sides are blessed with an abundance of quality players who are capable of winning games on their own, but Pedri’s absence could ultimately prove enough to hand the edge to the hosts.