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Enzo Maresca hopes to forget about the midweek mess and refocus Chelsea on their Premier League goals as they refocus for a visit across London to face Tottenham on Saturday.
After a late-game scare of their own doing, the Blues managed to progress to the EFL Cup quarterfinals as they beat Wolves 4-3 on Wednesday, but the near collapse was what perturbed Maresca so much.
The Chelsea boss was furious after the match, putting Liam Delap on blast for his silly red card while lambasting his squad for their carelessness. "The three goals we conceded, I think all of them we can avoid and for sure today also we had a very stupid red card that is completely unnecessary," Maresca said in his post-match presser.
Chelsea will need to improve on that Jeckell-and-Hyde performance if they are to improve their league position, currently ninth in the Premier League table through the first nine games of the season.
Tottenham have been much-improved under Thomas Frank, as they sit third in the league with 17 points thus far. They are just five points off leaders Arsenal, with five wins and two draws through their first nine games.
MORE: Gary Neville questions Enzo Maresca's credentials as Chelsea boss
Chelsea vs. Tottenham: Projected starting XI
Sanchez (GK)
James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella
Santos, Caicedo
Neto, E. Fernandez, Garnacho
Pedro
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Chelsea team news
After Maresca made wholesale changes for the midweek EFL Cup match, he is likely to bring most of the starters back in for their return to league play.
Fans got their hopes up of a return soon for Cole Palmer after seeing him in his kit at the Cobham ground, but reports claim that he has not yet been brought back into training just yet and is likely still out this weekend. Liam Delap only just returned from injury as he came off the bench against Wolves, but was sent off for two yellow cards and will be suspended for this game.
That means Enzo Fernandez should move up to the No. 10 position, while Joao Pedro takes over at the striker position. Marc Guiu was deployed up front against Sunderland, but was ineffective in his first Premier League start, and is unlikely to be given another go.
Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Jorrel Hato are some of those likely to return to the bench after a League Cup start, along with Facundo Buonanotte and Jamie Gittens. Alejandro Garnacho should come back in after his early goal in last weekend's league defeat to Sunderland, while Estevao may make way for Pedro Neto.
MORE: Breaking down the prize money on offer in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League
Chelsea injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Chelsea, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Cole Palmer
- Injury: Groin injury
- Expected return date: December 2025
Maresca was forced to admit his mistake over talisman Palmer's return after he missed out on England duty earlier this month. Initial estimates over his groin problem were increased to "at least six weeks" and he will not come back into the squad until mid-December.
Benoit Badiashiile
- Injury: Muscle injury
- Expected return date: December 2025
Badiashile's injury woes continued at the start of October after the Frenchman was forced off in the win over Liverpool with another muscle strain. Maresca confirmed he will not be back in contention until December as the 24-year-old battles to prove his durability to remain part of Chelsea's long-term plans.
Dario Essugo
- Injury: Thigh injury
- Expected return date: December 2025
Essugo arrived at Chelsea carrying a thigh injury following his loan return to Sporting CP from Las Palmas.
While there has been little confirmed reporting on his return, there has been recent speculation that he might be out until December or even into early 2026.
Levi Colwill
- Injury: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
- Expected return date: June 2026
Colwill suffered an ACL tear in preseason and will miss the full campaign. The England international still in the early stages of his rehabilitation.
Mykhailo Mudryk
- Suspension: Doping
- Expected return date: Unknown
Ukraine international Mudryk has not been available for selection since December 2024 after failing a doping test.
Tottenham vs. Chelsea match details
- Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
- Kickoff time: 4:30 p.m. local / 11 p.m. IST
- Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, England)
- Competition: Premier League, Matchweek 10
- Referee: Jarred Gillett
- VAR: Craig Pawson
English (US)