Chelsea will face Southampton on Wednesday night in a midweek Premier League clash, coming off the back of an impressive 3-0 win against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernández, and Cole Palmer secured the victory and propelled Chelsea into third place in the league, tied on points with Arsenal but trailing on away goals.

Injury Concerns for Chelsea

Despite the recent success, head coach Enzo Maresca faces a selection headache with key players sidelined due to injuries. Reece James remains out with a hamstring issue, and Wesley Fofana joined him on the injury list after limping off during the Villa match. Maresca confirmed that Fofana’s hamstring injury could keep him out for 5 weeks, meaning he might miss 10–12 games.

“It’s a big loss,” Maresca acknowledged, emphasizing Fofana’s importance to the team. “He has been doing fantastic, but these things happen when you play so many games. We will need to find a solution.”

Both James and Fofana had been on modified training schedules to manage their workload, playing only once per week, but injuries have disrupted those plans. Maresca now faces the challenge of balancing the squad’s fitness, particularly with young midfielder Romeo Lavia, who played 86 minutes against Villa before being substituted for Malo Gusto.

Southampton Challenge

Chelsea head into the game against Southampton, who sit bottom of the Premier League table, as overwhelming favorites. However, Maresca will aim to guard against complacency, especially given the potential pitfalls of squad rotation and player fatigue.

Southampton, desperate for points to escape the relegation zone, will likely provide a spirited opposition at St. Mary’s. Chelsea, meanwhile, will look to build on their recent momentum to solidify their position in the top four.

Expected Lineup Adjustments

With James and Fofana out, Maresca is expected to rely on Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi to fill the defensive voids. The midfield could remain anchored by Enzo Fernández, who has been instrumental in recent performances, while Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer will look to continue their attacking contributions.

As Chelsea navigate the packed schedule, maintaining focus and managing injuries will be crucial to sustaining their strong league position.