Enzo Fernandez Injury Update: Will Chelsea Midfielder Return Against Ajax?

Enzo Maresca has issued a key injury update on Enzo Fernandez ahead of Chelsea’s crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Ajax on Wednesday night. The Argentine midfielder missed the Blues’ 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend, fueling concerns about his availability for the European fixture.

The 24-year-old was forced to withdraw from Argentina’s squad during the October international break due to knee inflammation. He featured for 78 minutes in a 1-0 victory against Venezuela but sat out the following match against Puerto Rico, and his absence continued when Chelsea visited the City Ground on Saturday.

Latest on Enzo Fernandez Fitness and Return Timeline

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca offered a more optimistic assessment of Fernandez’s situation. “Enzo took part in the session yesterday,” Maresca confirmed. “We have one more session this afternoon and we will decide with him tomorrow. It is not something we have to be worried about. It’s to try and protect Enzo.”

The comments suggest Chelsea are prioritizing Fernandez’s long-term fitness rather than rushing him back prematurely. The midfielder remains central to Maresca’s tactical plans, and his absence was felt despite the Blues’ comfortable win over Forest. A final decision on whether he will feature against Ajax will be made after Tuesday’s training session.

Fernandez’s knee inflammation is being carefully managed by the club’s medical staff. While not considered serious, the issue has been persistent enough to warrant caution. Should he miss the clash against Ajax, he is expected to return for Chelsea’s next Premier League match if no setbacks occur.

Chelsea’s Injury Picture and Squad Decisions

Maresca also addressed the wider injury concerns affecting his squad. “It’s difficult, especially because most of the injuries we had were one or two days before the game. We are trying to adapt,” he said. “It’s complicated because sometimes you plan for some players to play one week, but then you need that player because of another injury.”

Striker Liam Delap, who suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham before the September break, is nearing a return. “Liam is very close. He is not working with us yet. He is still out. Hopefully, in the next days, he can start training with us,” Maresca revealed. In Delap’s absence, 19-year-old Marc Guiu could see more playing time after making an impact as a substitute against Forest.

With Cole Palmer also managing a knock and several first-team players sidelined, Maresca may need to rotate his squad again for the Ajax fixture. Fernandez’s potential return would provide a significant boost as Chelsea look to secure a vital result in Group C.

Champions League Test Awaits Chelsea

Looking ahead to the Ajax encounter, Maresca acknowledged the scale of the challenge. “They are a club that have won this competition in the past. They want to prove to everyone that they can come here and beat us. We are going to try and do exactly the same,” he said.

Reflecting on Chelsea’s European campaign so far, Maresca added: “It’s a nice competition because you play against fantastic clubs. We were not happy with the result at Bayern, but the performance we were happy with. Benfica, we tried to prepare the game to win in the best way. It is going to be exactly the same tomorrow.”

Fernandez’s status remains a crucial storyline heading into Wednesday night. Chelsea fans will hope to see the midfielder back in action as the Blues aim to strengthen their Champions League campaign with a victory at Stamford Bridge.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the latest Enzo Fernandez injury update?

Fernandez has been recovering from knee inflammation and trained with the team on Monday. A final decision on his Ajax availability will be made after Tuesday’s session.

Q2: Will Enzo Fernandez play against Ajax?

Maresca said the club will decide on Wednesday, but the midfielder is in contention if he responds well after training.

Q3: How long has Fernandez been out?

He missed Argentina’s second October friendly and Chelsea’s win over Nottingham Forest but could return for the Ajax match.

Q4: Who could replace Fernandez if he is unavailable?

Chelsea could turn to Conor Gallagher or Moisés Caicedo in midfield, while Marc Guiu could get more minutes in attack.

Q5: What did Maresca say about Ajax?

He called Ajax a historic club and expects a tough game, emphasizing Chelsea’s need to match their intensity and quality.