Chelsea dealt another injury blow! Tosin Adarabioyo ruled out of Crystal Palace clash as Enzo Maresca faces defensive headache in London derby

Blues defender Tosin has been ruled out of Sunday's clash with Crystal Palace, The Times has reported. His expected absence from the season opener is down to what is described as a "small issue" in training. Chelsea aren't taking the risk with the 27-year-old, so he will sit out as a precaution. 

The reason that Chelsea are exercising caution is due to already being without Levi Colwill. The home-grown cente-back could be out until 2026 after undergoing surgery on a pre-season knee injury. Tosin's subsequent absence, even a very minor one, is frustrating because he was billed as the most natural replacement for Colwill in Chelsea's strongest XI. Benoit Badiashile is also recovering from his own knock. Enzo Maresca has made clear his desire for a new centre-back, but none has arrived so far.  

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Maresca had discussed the fitness of some of his other centre-backs: "Trev [Chalobah] is okay. [Wesley Fofana] could be available, we will see."  

Trevoh Chalobah looks set to start at the heart of defence, a remarkable turnaround considering this time last year he was deemed surplus to requirements. Fofana, if fit, is obviously another option. Reece James has been known to play centre-back in the past, albeit not last season, while teenager Josh Acheampong is raw but talented.