Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed midfielder Enzo Fernandez has missed his side’s trip to Nottingham Forest through injury, but allayed fears over the severity of the problem by saying it is “not a big concern”. The Blues head to Forest on Saturday as they look to secure back-to-back Premier League victories following the last-gasp win over Liverpool before the international break.

Fernandez was an injury doubt for Chelsea's clash with Forest

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.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMaresca confirms Enzo has missed the trip to Forest through injury

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 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."

Argentina midfielder Enzo has been on song for Chelsea in 2025-26

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.

Chelsea still reeling from the loss of Palmer after injury setback

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.”