Chelsea could see several key players return for their West London derby against Fulham on Wednesday (7), as the Blues aim to strengthen their push for a top-four Premier League finish. The match, part of the 21st round, kicks off at 7:30 PM UK time at Craven Cottage.
Under the watchful eye of new head coach Liam Rosenior, who will not make his debut until later, Chelsea are hopeful that squad reinforcements will provide a boost after last weekend’s 1–1 draw against Manchester City.
Chelsea Targeting Win to Close Gap on Liverpool
Currently fifth in the Premier League with 31 points, Chelsea are aiming to close the gap on fourth-placed Liverpool, who sit on 34 points. A victory in the derby would be a crucial step toward securing Champions League qualification.
Interim coach Calum McFarlane is considering including up to four returning players compared to the squad that faced City.
Key Players Could Return
Midfielder Moises Caicedo is set to return after serving an automatic suspension due to yellow card accumulation. Additionally, Chelsea may have the following players available, depending on training assessments:
- Robert Sanchez – goalkeeper returning from injury
- Wesley Fofana – defender recovering fitness
- Marc Cucurella – back in contention after a layoff
McFarlane commented in a press conference:
“We’ll have a better idea [about availability] after today’s training. At this moment, nobody is ruled out. We’ll see how the players are doing and then we’ll make a decision.”
Liam Rosenior Replaces Enzo Maresca
Chelsea acted swiftly to replace Enzo Maresca, who was dismissed last week due to poor results and disagreements with management. Former Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior, aged 41, has been appointed on a long-term contract until 2032.
Rosenior previously managed Strasbourg, a club owned by the same consortium as Chelsea, BlueCo, which is led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
The new manager expressed his excitement:
“I feel extremely honored and grateful to be appointed head coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a history of pride in winning trophies.”
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Rosenior as head coach of the men’s team.
Welcome to Chelsea, Liam! 🔵
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2026
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
