Against Liverpool, Chelsea’s injury crisis worsened as two of their starting centre-backs were withdrawn from the game.
In the second half of the tightly contested match, Frenchman Benoit Badiashile was substituted for Romeu Lavia after picking up an injury. Minutes later, teenage defender, Josh Acheampong – who put on a fantastic display – was forced to leave the pitch after he also sustained an injury, with his replacement being former Ajax defender, Jorrel Hato.
These adjustments saw club captain Reece James deployed at centre-back – a role he had never played before. The Englishman impressed alongside Hato and Cucurella, holding his own against two of the league’s most expensive forwards, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, in what was a makeshift defensive setup.
The Blues’ hard-fought win over Liverpool came at a heavy cost. What should have been a statement victory has instead deepened the club’s ongoing injury crisis, leaving Enzo Maresca short of options and raising serious questions about the board’s decision not to strengthen in the summer.
Chelsea’s Injury Crisis: The List Grows Longer
Chelsea injuries are of the plenty now, with Acheampong and Badiashile potentially joining:
- Levi Colwill injury – ACL
- Cole Palmer injury – Groin
- Tosin Adarabioyo injury – Calf problem
- Wesley Fofana injury – Concussion
- Dario Essugo injury – Thigh
- Andrey Santos injury – Muscle
- Liam Delap injury – Hamstring
The Josh Acheampong injury concern may have been no more than a minor issue when he limped off against Liverpool has been pictured training with the England Under-21s, though, which suggests that it. The Benoite Badiashile injury scare may be of no concern either.
Meanwhile, Reece James was withdrawn from the England squad. However, reports suggest that there is no major issue for the Blues’ captain.
Enzo Maresca’s Warning Ignored
After Levi Colwill – a defender who played a vital role in Chelsea’s past successes in the Conference League and Club World Cup – suffered an ACL injury, head coach Enzo Maresca hinted at his desire for defensive reinforcement.
He said, “I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution, but the club knows exactly what I think.”
The statement revealed that Enzo Maresca clearly understood the importance of squad depth, especially in the defensive department. However, during the final days of the transfer window, the board chose not to act on his request for a new defender, leaving him to manage with the options already at his disposal. This decision now appears costly given Chelsea’s injury crisis.
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Estevao’s Goal Overshadowed by Injuries
Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea on Saturday marked five years since the Reds last claimed victory at Stamford Bridge. The decisive goal came from 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian, who converted Marc Cucurella’s cross after a brilliant team buildup.
Head coach Enzo Maresca was shown a second yellow card for an overly passionate celebration, leaving his assistant Willy Caballero to handle post-match duties. Speaking after the game, Caballero downplayed the injuries sustained by Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile, saying “they both felt some discomfort, but it doesn’t look too serious — we’ll assess them properly in the coming days.”
Given the growing number of Chelsea injuries, there’s genuine cause for concern. The board may now be forced to reach into the club’s coffers in the January transfer window to bring in a reliable defensive reinforcement.
The international break arrives at the perfect moment, offering players carrying minor knocks a valuable opportunity to recover and push for a place in the starting lineup.
Once club football resumes, the Blues face a challenging run of fixtures across the Premier League, EFL Cup and Champions League. Their schedule includes a clash against an unbeaten Ajax side in their domestic league, as well as tough encounters against Nottingham Forest and Wolves.
Conclusion
Chelsea handed Liverpool their third straight loss in all competitions, and although the win may have offered a brief moment of celebration, it came at a cost. Enzo Maresca’s tactical discipline and his players’ resilience have kept the team on top, but the mounting injuries threaten to derail their momentum.
As the international break offers a window for recovery, the club’s hierarchy must reflect on the risks of being inactive in the transfer market come this January.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Chelsea can weather this storm – or if their shortcomings defensively will expose deeper cracks in their season’s ambitions.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Action Plus
Recording Date: 04.10.2025