Where is Enzo Fernandez?! Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca explains midfielder's absence against Nottingham Forest as Blues' injury problems deepen

Chelsea boss Maresca confirmed ahead of the game against Forest that Fernandez - alongside in-form midfielder Moises Caicedo and winger Pedro Neto - was an injury doubt for the lunchtime kick-off at the City Ground.

“They didn't take part in the session yesterday, but we will see if they can train today,” Maresca said in his pre-match press conference. “Otherwise, they would be out for tomorrow.”

But while Neto has been included in Chelsea's starting line-up for the clash with Forest, with Caicedo also included among the substitutes, Fernandez has been unable to recover in time and therefore misses out altogether.

Chelsea’s XI for Forest: Sanchez; James (c), Chalobah, Acheampong, Cucurella; Gusto, Lavia; Neto, Andrey Santos, Garnacho; Pedro. 

Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen (GK), Adarabioyo, Gittens, Hato, Caicedo, George, Guiu, Estevao, Buonanotte.

But while Fernandez will not be able to help Chelsea as they go in search of three points against a Forest side who have failed to win any of their first seven games under manager Ange Postecoglou, Maresca is hopeful the Argentina international will not spend too long on the sidelines through injury.

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the game, Maresca said of Fernandez’s absence: "It's not a big concern. He's out for a problem, for an injury, and hopefully he can be back very soon."

Fernandez has been in fine form for Chelsea in 2025-26, scoring three goals and recording one assist in his side's first seven league games. The 24-year-old found the back of the net in the victories over London rivals West Ham and Fulham, while he also scored in the 3-1 loss at the hands of Brighton.

While Maresca is optimistic over Fernandez’s recovery time, Chelsea are continuing to combat injury problems with other players. Alongside Caicedo and Neto, defender Tosin Adarabioyo and midfielder Andrey Santos have travelled to Forest following their recent injury woes, though Maresca’s men are still reeling from the loss of star man Cole Palmer. Having been absent since the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on September 20 with a persistent groin injury, Maresca revealed the England international will be out for a further six weeks before the Forest game.

“Unfortunately, he (Palmer) needs to be out for probably six more weeks, this is the update,” said Maresca. “We try to protect Cole as much as we can and the most important thing is that when he comes back, he is fully fit. We hope the six weeks will be enough, but it’s a problem that we need to look at step by step, week by week, but for sure he is going to be okay.”

Maresca also confirmed Chelsea will be without defender Benoit Badiashile until December, adding: “Benoit will be out until December. He is injured again with a muscle problem. He was doing fantastic, showing how good he is, and how we need him. So we will wait for him.”

Another man who will be absent against Forest, albeit only from the technical area, is Maresca himself as he serves a one-match touchline ban. The Italian was given the punishment - alongside an £8,000 fine - after he admitted a Football Association (FA) charge of misconduct following his dismissal in the 2-1 win over Liverpool. After sprinting down the touchline to celebrate with his players following Estevao's late winner, Maresca was shown a second yellow card, having been cautioned for dissent earlier in the game.

The FA confirmed Maresca’s punishment in a statement, which read: “Enzo Maresca has been given a one-match touchline ban and £8,000 fine for misconduct during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Liverpool on Saturday, 4 October. It was alleged that the manager acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour during the fixture, which led to his dismissal around the 96th minute. Enzo Maresca subsequently admitted the charge and accepted the standard penalty.”