Chelsea vs Wolves: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injuries
Today at 02:00 AM
Chelsea have a host of fresh injury concerns as they look to end their five-match winless Premier League run against Wolves this evening.
Enzo Maresca’s side cruised to a 5-0 win in the FA Cup against Morecambe at the weekend to secure their first win of 2025.
However, the Blues failed to build on that momentum in midweek and needed an injury-time equaliser from Reece James to secure a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
Chelsea faced a quick turnaround before their clash with Wolves and have to contend with a number of fresh injury concerns after Maresca revealed that Cole Palmer, along with Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia, all missed Friday's training session.
'Cole, Levi, Enzo and Romeo were not in the session today so those four players are doubts for Monday's game because they picked up problems in the last game,' the Italian confirmed.
Asked specifically about Palmer's injury, Maresca replied: 'Cole was the ankle. In the first half they (the opponent) kicked him. He didn't train today and we don't know if he's going to train tomorrow or in two days.
'The same situation is for Enzo, Romeo and Levi.'
With three days since then, Palmer, Colwill and Fernandez could still play a part but Lavia may not be risked this evening given his injury problems since joining Stamford Bridge.
Moises Caicedo could therefore return to his role alongside Enzo Fernandez in central midfield having started at right-back in midweek.
Should Colwill not be fit enough to start, Maresca may call upon Trevor Chalobah to play alongside Josh Acheampong after he was recalled from his loan at Crystal Palace.
Fresh off his last-gasp goal in midweek, James could be in line for his firstleague start since the start of November in tonight’s game.
The Blues’ club captain started in the FA Cup against Morecambe last weekend but is having his minutes managed as he works his way back to full fitness.
Noni Madueke returned to the starting lineup last time out having missed the clash with Morecambe due to illness, but Pedro Neto may be preferred on the right wing against his former club.
Elsewhere, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall appears no closer to a first-team return having missed Chelsea’s last six games with injury.
Benoit Badiashaille and Wesley Fofana are also missing in defence with longer-term injuries, while Omari Kellyman has not featured since sustaining a hamstring injury in September.
Cesare Casadei and Ben Chilwell will also not likely feature as the club seek to find January exits for both players.
Renato Veiga and Christopher Nkunku were both unused substitutes in midweek with their Chelsea futures also both up in the air amid interest from several European clubs.
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Wolves
Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Where to watch Chelsea vs Wolves? Kick-off time and TV channel
Chelsea vs Fulham kicks off at 8pm on Monday, January 20.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch today’s match on Sky Sports and Sky Go, with coverage starting at 6.30pm.
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