CHELSEA’S injury crisis has gone from bad to worse in the international break, with Enzo Fernandez being forced to pull out of the Argentina squad.
The Argentine No8 has left the national team camp and is flying back to London due to swelling in his right knee.
Fernandez has been instrumental for the Blues going forward this season, with his three goals the joint highest in the team alongside Moises Caicedo, who was also carrying a knock but not playing for Ecuador and being given a chance to rest.
The plan was for Fernandez to be rested in Argentina’s next match on Wednesday anyway – a friendly against Puerto Rico – but he will hope to be OK to play against Nottingham Forest next Saturday.
A two-week rest for Joao Pedro, Reece James, Cole Palmer and Caicedo will be welcomed by manager Enzo Maresca, while Josh Acheampong returned during the break for England’s Under-21s after limping off with injury against Liverpool.
Injury prone Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana will both be available for the Blues’ trip to Forest too.
After being pictured in training this week, Lavia is being managed similarly to James in terms of his minutes.
If Fernandez does need to miss the game against Forest, the most natural replacement for him would be fellow Argentine Facundo Buonanotte.
Caicedo will likely be joined by Lavia or James in midfield.
Trevoh Chalobah will return from suspension, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos and potentially Palmer also expected to return this month.
The Blues will also be missing their manager for the visit to Forest after the break.
Maresca will be replaced by Willy Caballero on the touchline.
That is after the Italian tactician was given a second yellow card against Liverpool for running down the touchline and celebrating Estevao’s last-minute winner.
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