Chelsea Injury Crisis: Caicedo Suspension & Midfield Setbacks Pile Up for Maresca

Chelsea injury crisis: midfield crisis deepens after Caicedo dismissal
Chelsea are once again confronting uncomfortable questions about squad depth and resilience, with the latest injury developments landing at precisely the wrong moment. Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal may have showcased spirit, but the red card shown to Moises Caicedo has left Enzo Maresca facing a significant tactical puzzle just as key midfield cover remains unavailable.

The Blues’ reigning Player of the Season received an initial yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Mikel Merino during the first half of the feisty 1-1 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge, only for referee Anthony Taylor to overturn his own decision and produce a red following a VAR review.

It left Chelsea needing to play for more than 50 minutes with 10 men, though they actually took the lead through Trevoh Chalobah’s header before Merino equalised to ensure the points were shared.

Caicedo will now serve a three-match domestic suspension — missing Leeds, Bournemouth (Dec 6), and Everton (Dec 13), but will be available for Champions League action vs Atalanta on December 9. He’ll only return to domestic football on December 16 for the Carabao Cup quarter-final away at Cardiff.

Against this backdrop, Chelsea require clarity on when injured midfielders can return, with multiple absences continuing to shape selection debates. There was at least a positive note: Captain Reece James impressed in a central role, and Cole Palmer returned to the squad for the first time since September, though he did not feature.

Below is the full Chelsea injury latest as preparations intensify for the midweek trip to Elland Road.

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Romeo Lavia — fitness concerns persist

Romeo Lavia’s Chelsea career has been overwhelmingly defined by recovery rather than continuity. Since arriving from Southampton in 2023, he has made just 29 appearances, each disrupted by new setbacks.

This season initially held promise, but a quadriceps issue during the Champions League draw vs Qarabag on November 5 halted his momentum again. The midfielder is expected to remain sidelined until at least December, though the exact timeline remains unclear.

Potential return date: December

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Dario Essugo — ahead of schedule

Summer signing Dario Essugo has given the club rare good news. After thigh surgery from a September injury on international duty, initial forecasts suggested an absence into late 2025 or even 2026 — but he has surprisingly resumed training ahead of schedule.

Maresca sees him as potentially useful defensive midfield cover during Caicedo’s suspension and Lavia’s prolonged absence.

Potential return date: December

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Levi Colwill — long rehabilitation

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Levi Colwill’s situation is far more long-term. After suffering an ACL injury in August, he underwent surgery and has missed the entire season so far. Recent updates indicate he’s been off crutches for over a month, and progress has been steady — but there’s still no set target for a competitive return.

Potential return date: Spring or Summer 2026

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As Chelsea gradually regain squad members, Maresca must still navigate a period of suspensions and injuries — with December presenting a congested fixture list and a shrinking margin for error.

Chelsea Injury Crisis: Caicedo Suspension & Midfield Setbacks Pile Up for Maresca