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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Chelsea have growing injury list</li><li>Fofana and Badiashile sidelined</li><li>Maresca more positive on James</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Is Chelsea's injury crisis coming back? Enzo Maresca reveals worrying updates on Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile - but offers hope over Reece James

Premier League

Everton

Nottingham Forest

Ipswich

Chelsea

<p>Chelsea had a huge injury list last season and while this term they have not had such issues, their absentees are multiplying. Centre-back <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/enzo-maresca-wesley-fofana-injury-blow-chelsea-defender-aston-villa/bltad37e7baeb894f30" target="_blank">Fofana has been out with a hamstring problem</a>, fellow defender Badiashile sustained an injury last weekend in training, and captain <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/reece-james-emotional-respect-message-chelsea-sidelined-again-injury/blta1b8241ea4d6f24b" target="_blank">James is recovering from another hamstring issue</a>. Now, head coach Maresca has provided a worrying update on his centre-backs but said the right-back is back in training.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>On Friday, the Italian said: "Both, they are still out and both will still be out for a long period."</p><p>When asked if they won't be back in January, he added: "Yeah."</p><p>He continued: “Reece finally will start with us for part of the session (on Friday), so slowly, slowly, he will be back. That doesn’t mean he is going to be with us on Sunday or next Sunday. The plan for him is to be with the team for part of the session and from there to try to build the right condition for him and then finally he can be back with us.”</p>

WHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID

<p>That means Chelsea are without Fofana, Badiashile, James, and Maresca said midfielder Romeo Lavia will "struggle" to be fit for Everton this weekend. While the Blues have strength in depth, they will not want their injury list to pile up after their impressive start to the season.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>It remains to be seen how long Fofana, Badiashile, and James will be out for, especially as Chelsea are set for a busy festive fixture period.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Is Chelsea's injury crisis coming back? Enzo Maresca reveals worrying updates on Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile - but offers hope over Reece James | Goal.com US

Enzo Maresca says Chelsea will be without Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile for a &quot;long period&quot; but had more positive news on Reece James.

Is Chelsea&apos;s injury crisis coming back? Enzo Maresca reveals worrying updates on Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile - but offers hope over Reece James