Chelsea’s line-up has become one of the most debated topics in English football as Enzo Maresca steers the Blues through a challenging campaign marked by tactical innovation and mounting injury concerns. The Italian manager has implemented a revolutionary 3-1-3-3 formation whilst managing one of the Premier League’s most extensive injury lists this season.
Current Squad Situation
Chelsea currently sit seventh in the Premier League standings following a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, a result that showcased both the team’s resilience and depth. The Blues have been without key players for extended periods, forcing Maresca to rotate extensively and rely on academy prospects to fill crucial positions.
The most recent confirmed Chelsea line-up featured Robert Sanchez in goal, protected by a back four of Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile and Marc Cucurella. Club captain Reece James returned to the side in an unfamiliar midfield role alongside the ever-present Moises Caicedo, who has started every Premier League match this season.
In attack, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez and Alejandro Garnacho supported summer signing Joao Pedro, who continues to lead the line despite the absence of several attacking options. The Brazilian forward has scored two goals and provided three assists in seven Premier League appearances, contributing to an impressive goal involvement rate.
Injury Crisis Deepens
Chelsea’s injury situation reached critical levels during the October international break, with seven or eight first-team players unavailable simultaneously. Cole Palmer has been absent since the defeat to Manchester United with a persistent groin injury that has limited him to just four appearances across all competitions this season.
The attacking midfielder’s absence represents a significant blow to Chelsea’s creative output, as Maresca confirmed he would not return until after the international break at the earliest. Palmer withdrew from England duty to focus on recovery, with the club’s medical department closely monitoring his condition.
Defensive injuries have proved equally problematic for the Blues manager. Wesley Fofana suffered a concussion during the Liverpool match and joined Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong on the treatment table. The most concerning injury belongs to Colwill, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in training and faces missing most of the campaign.
Reece James also departed the England camp after picking up an injury during the Liverpool victory, marking another setback for the captain whose career has been disrupted by fitness problems. The Football Association confirmed James sustained the knock whilst playing at centre-back late in the match, demonstrating the defensive crisis Maresca faces.
Liam Delap pulled up chasing a long ball against Fulham with a hamstring injury that typically requires six to eight weeks of recovery. The England Under-21 striker had impressed following his £30 million move from Ipswich Town but now faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
Maresca’s Tactical Approach
Despite the injury crisis, Maresca has implemented a distinctive tactical system that has drawn comparisons to his mentor Pep Guardiola. The 3-1-3-3 formation features fluid build-up play with inverted full-backs and advanced wingers creating overloads in the final third.
Marc Cucurella has become pivotal to this system, often inverting into central areas during the build-up phase whilst the opposite full-back pushes forward. This rotation creates numerical superiority in midfield and allows Chelsea to progress through opposition pressure more effectively.
The victory over Liverpool showcased Maresca’s tactical acumen perfectly. Moises Caicedo opened the scoring with a thunderous strike before Estevao Willian netted the winner late on. The Blues controlled large periods despite playing without several key players, testament to the system’s effectiveness.
Maresca’s approach emphasises possession retention and patient build-up play from the goalkeeper. Robert Sanchez frequently plays direct passes through central areas to quickly advance Chelsea’s position, a tactic familiar from his international career with Spain.
Summer Transfer Activity
Chelsea’s summer recruitment focused on adding young talent with significant potential. The club spent approximately £304 million on new signings whilst recouping £302 million through sales, resulting in a net spend of just £1.3 million.
Joao Pedro arrived from Brighton for £55 million and has quickly established himself as the first-choice striker. The 24-year-old Brazilian offers versatility across the forward line and brings Premier League experience to a relatively young squad.
Alejandro Garnacho joined from Manchester United for £40 million on the final day of the transfer window. The Argentine winger has featured regularly in Maresca’s attacking trio, providing pace and directness down the left flank.
Jamie Gittens completed a £48.5 million move from Borussia Dortmund, bringing Bundesliga and Champions League experience. The 20-year-old English winger made over 100 appearances in Germany and featured at the Club World Cup.
Jorrel Hato arrived from Ajax for £35.5 million as cover for the injury-hit defensive positions. The 19-year-old Netherlands international can operate at centre-back or left-back, offering valuable versatility to Maresca’s squad.
Estevao Willian finally linked up with Chelsea after a deal was agreed in 2024. The 18-year-old Brazilian winger cost £29 million and scored against Chelsea whilst representing Palmeiras at the Club World Cup.
Among the departures, Christopher Nkunku joined AC Milan for £32 million whilst Noni Madueke moved to Arsenal for £48.5 million. Nicolas Jackson secured a loan move to Bayern Munich with a £14.3 million fee, creating space for the new attacking signings.
Academy Integration
Maresca has shown willingness to promote academy graduates when injuries strike. Josh Acheampong started against Liverpool at centre-back despite being just 18 years old, demonstrating considerable maturity in a high-pressure fixture.
Landon Emenalo earned a place on the bench for the Liverpool match, becoming part of the first-team picture. The defender subsequently received international recognition, being called up alongside fellow Blues youngsters Chizaram Ezenwata and Reggie Walsh.
This integration of youth players reflects Chelsea’s long-term strategy and provides valuable experience for the next generation. The international break has seen various Chelsea players representing their nations worldwide, with the club tracking their fitness closely ahead of the return to domestic action.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on 18 October following the international break. The match represents an opportunity for the Blues to climb the table and build momentum, with several injured players potentially returning to action.
The club currently sits seventh with aspirations of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Fourth place finished with 69 points last season, providing a target for Maresca’s side to aim towards.
Wesley Fofana is expected to recover from his concussion in time for the Forest fixture, whilst Benoit Badiashile should also be available despite limping off against Liverpool. These returns would significantly strengthen the defensive options and reduce the burden on makeshift centre-backs.
Cole Palmer’s return date remains uncertain, with the club taking a cautious approach to his groin problem. Maresca confirmed a meeting would determine whether the playmaker could resume training after the international break, but no guarantees were offered.
The squad depth built through summer recruitment will be tested further as fixtures accumulate across multiple competitions. Chelsea remain involved in the Premier League, Conference League and domestic cups, requiring careful rotation to maintain performance levels.
Transfer Strategy Evolution
Chelsea’s recruitment philosophy has shifted towards younger players with resale value rather than established stars. This approach aligns with Financial Fair Play requirements whilst building a squad capable of competing for years to come.
The club has no plans to sign a goalkeeper in the next two windows, viewing Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and Mike Penders as sufficient cover. Similarly, Chelsea will not pursue a centre-back in January despite the injury crisis, preferring to work with existing options.
Tyrique George is likely to leave in January after attracting interest from multiple Champions League and Europa League clubs. The winger nearly joined Fulham on deadline day but remained at Stamford Bridge temporarily.
Geovany Quenda will arrive from Sporting next summer, adding to the collection of talented wingers already assembled. Marc Guiu’s loan to Sunderland was cancelled and he will remain with Chelsea for the entire season.
Tactical Flexibility
Maresca’s system requires intelligent players capable of operating in multiple positions. The fluidity between defensive and midfield phases demands high technical quality and tactical understanding from every participant.
When Chelsea’s build-up is pressed, the rotation frees players further up the pitch who can exploit the space created. Opposition teams often concede possession rather than risk being bypassed, allowing the Blues to establish their 3-1-3-3 shape comfortably.
The victory over Liverpool demonstrated Chelsea’s counter-pressing effectiveness and ability to win second balls in advanced areas. Maresca’s side forced Liverpool into errors and capitalised on turnovers to create scoring opportunities.
Set-piece routines have also improved under the Italian coach, with Chelsea creating multiple chances from corners and free-kicks. The coaching staff have implemented detailed patterns that exploit defensive vulnerabilities through coordinated movement.
Squad Harmony
Despite the extensive squad turnover and injury challenges, Maresca has maintained positive atmosphere within the dressing room. Players have embraced the tactical demands and shown willingness to operate in unfamiliar positions when required.
Reece James’s deployment in midfield and central defence exemplifies this flexibility, with the captain performing admirably despite being naturally a right-back. His leadership has proved invaluable during difficult moments when defensive resources were stretched.
Moises Caicedo has established himself as the team’s most consistent performer, starting every Premier League match and delivering crucial goals. The Ecuadorian midfielder was rested for international duty to manage his workload, demonstrating the club’s proactive approach to fitness management.
Future Prospects
The international break provides valuable recovery time for Chelsea’s injured players and an opportunity to reset ahead of a crucial period. Eight matches across all competitions await before the next break, testing squad depth and tactical versatility.
Maresca’s ability to navigate this injury crisis whilst maintaining competitive performances suggests long-term potential. The tactical foundation being established should benefit Chelsea as players return and the squad reaches full strength.
The blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents offers an intriguing balance. Summer signings have integrated quickly whilst academy graduates have grasped their opportunities, creating healthy competition for places.
Chelsea’s line-up evolution under Maresca represents a significant departure from previous approaches. The emphasis on positional fluidity, technical quality and tactical intelligence reflects modern football’s demands and positions the club competitively for years to come.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chelsea’s current starting line-up under Enzo Maresca?
Chelsea’s most recent line-up featured Sanchez in goal, with Gusto, Acheampong, Badiashile and Cucurella across the defence. James and Caicedo occupied midfield positions, whilst Pedro Neto, Fernandez and Garnacho supported striker Joao Pedro. This formation reflects Maresca’s tactical preference for fluid build-up play and positional rotation.
Which Chelsea players are currently injured?
Chelsea are managing seven or eight injuries simultaneously, including Cole Palmer (groin), Wesley Fofana (concussion), Levi Colwill (ACL), Reece James (leg), Liam Delap (hamstring), Tosin Adarabioyo (calf) and Andrey Santos (muscle). Palmer and several others are expected to return after the October international break, though timelines remain uncertain.
How much did Chelsea spend in summer 2025?
Chelsea invested approximately £304 million in summer signings whilst generating £302 million through player sales, resulting in a net spend of £1.3 million. Major arrivals included Joao Pedro (£55m), Jamie Gittens (£48.5m), Alejandro Garnacho (£40m) and Jorrel Hato (£35.5m).
What tactical system does Enzo Maresca use at Chelsea?
Maresca employs a 3-1-3-3 formation with inverted full-backs and fluid positional rotations during build-up phases. The system emphasises possession retention, patient progression through midfield and creating numerical overloads in attacking areas. Marc Cucurella often inverts into central positions whilst the opposite full-back advances, creating tactical flexibility.
When is Chelsea’s next Premier League match?
Chelsea face Nottingham Forest away at the City Ground on 18 October 2025 at 12:30 GMT following the October international break. The match represents an opportunity for several injured players to return and for the Blues to climb from seventh position in the Premier League table.
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