Chelsea have been dealt a potential injury blow with one of Enzo Maresca‘s key players having been forced to withdraw from international duty with a knee issue.
The Blues had headed into the international break on a high after their last-gasp 2-1 victory against Liverpool last weekend.
Maresca will have been hoping to avoid further injuries having already seen several stars, including Cole Palmer, sidelined so far this season.
Liam Delap, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo were absentees ahead of the break, while Levi Colwill is expected to miss the majority of the season with an ACL injury.
Captain Reece James had withdrawn from the England squad with a knock last week.
The Blues are facing another potential blow after Argentina confirmed Enzo Fernandez has withdrawn from their squad.
Enzo Fernandez, left has withdrawn from Argentina’s squad due to a right knee problem
Fernandez, who was pictured with strapping this week, has synovitis in his right knee
The midfielder played in Argentina’s friendly on Friday but will not feature against Puerto Rico
The Argentine FA stated that Fernandez had withdrawn due to synovitis in his right knee.
Synovitis – inflammation of the joint lining – can reportedly take between a few days and weeks to recover.
Fernandez had been pictured in Argentina training earlier this week wearing strapping on his right knee.
The midfielder still featured for the reigning world champions in a friendly against Venezuela in Miami on Friday.
Fernandez played 78 minutes of the match with Argentina earning a 1-0 victory.
He will not been involved when Argentina face Puerto Rico in another friendly on Tuesday.
Chelsea will be hoping Fernandez’s knee problem is only a minor concern amid current midfield absentees.
Palmer is expected to be back in November as he recovers from a groin issue, while underwent thigh surgery last month and could be out until the start of 2026.
Chelsea will face Nottingham Forest in their first match after the international break on October 18.
The Blues then host Ajax in the Champions League, before welcoming Sunderland to Stamford Bridge.