Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca provides injury update on 5 Blues stars ahead of Crystal Palace clash: Reports 

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has provided an injury update of the squad ahead of their trip to Selhurst Park. They will face Crystal Palace in their Premier League clash on Saturday, January 4.

The Blues have had an excellent 2024-25 season under Maresca as they sit fourth in the Premier League standings. However, they have slipped in recent weeks as they are winless in their last three games with two defeats and one draw. They are set to face Crystal Palace on Saturday as they look to overcome this slump.

In his pre-match press conference, Maresca confirmed that while Reece James is back, four other players will miss Saturday's clash. They are Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

"Reece is back already," Maresca said (via Absolute Chelsea). "Romeo is very close. He's started to work with us. Kiernan is still out. Wes will be out for a very long time. Benoit will be out at least until February."

James has again been dealing with numerous injury issues this season. He's made just four appearances but was on the bench in their 2-0 defeat against Ipswich Town last week.

Dewsbury-Hall last featured for Chelsea in their 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Europa Conference League on December 20. Lavia and Badiashile, meanwhile, have been out of action since their 4-3 win at Tottenham Hotspur on December 8. Fofana last featured in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa on December 1.

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirms a long-term injury to Wesley Fofana

The Italian manager has confirmed that Wesley Fofana is set to remain out for a long period and could even miss the rest of the season. He said (via Chelseafc.com):

"With Wes, we don’t know exactly how long he could be out for but he has a hamstring injury and unfortunately we are going to lose him for a while. I have said many times that I love Wes and of course not having him available is a huge loss for us."

Fofana has made 12 Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season, helping them keep one clean sheet. He started for them in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on December 1 but had to be subbed off in the 60th minute.

The Blues, meanwhile, have kept four clean sheets in the Premier League this season.