Liam Rosenior delivers Chelsea teamnews ahead of Pafos clash.
The Blues are in Cyprus tonight as they face Pafos in Matchday 7, but preparations for the encounter have been far from smooth, with fitness concerns dominating the build-up to the game.
Head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed ahead of kick-off that several players have been dealing with illness in recent days, forcing the medical staff and coaching team into late decisions over team selection.
While some players were able to return to training, none are believed to be fully back to peak condition.
One of the biggest talking points surrounds Enzo, who did take part in training but remains a doubt for tonight’s match.
“Enzo trained today, but none of those lads who’ve been ill are 100 per cent,” Rosenior explained.
“It’s been a bad illness. We’ll make a decision on Enzo today and assess whether he’s fit enough to start or if he’ll have to come off the bench.”
The midfielder’s availability could be crucial, given his importance in controlling possession and setting the tempo in midfield.
However, the coaching staff are wary of taking unnecessary risks, especially with a busy run of fixtures still to come.
Another key name closely monitored ahead of tonight’s game is Cole Palmer. The attacking midfielder has been managing a heavy workload over recent weeks, and while he is expected to be available, there have been internal discussions about how best to manage his minutes.
Palmer’s creativity and goal threat have been vital this season, but Rosenior hinted that rotation may be considered depending on how the game develops.
“Cole has played a lot of football,” a club source suggested. “He’s trained well, but we have to be smart with him. The medical team will make sure any decision puts the player first.”
Defensive concerns have also taken centre stage, particularly following confirmation that Tosin Adarabioyo will miss tonight’s fixture. The centre-back suffered a hamstring injury during the weekend victory over Brentford and has been ruled out for the trip to Cyprus.
“Tosin won’t be available for this game,” Rosenior confirmed. “Unfortunately, he felt something in his hamstring, which is going to rule him out for the next few weeks.
I can’t be any more precise than that at this moment in terms of timelines.”
The absence of Tosin represents a significant blow, given his composure at the back and recent run of strong performances.
His injury places additional responsibility on the remaining defensive options, especially with Wesley Fofana still working his way back to full match sharpness.
Fofana has returned to training and continues to build fitness, but the club remain cautious following his long spell out. While he is part of the travelling squad, there are no guarantees he will feature tonight, with the coaching staff determined not to rush his return.
“Wes is progressing well,” Rosenior noted. “But after a long injury layoff, you have to be careful. We’ll assess him today and decide what role, if any, he can play.”
The defensive reshuffle could see alternative partnerships explored, with versatility likely to be key as the team looks to maintain balance against a Pafos side known for being energetic and difficult to break down at home.
Despite the injury and illness setbacks, spirits remain high within the camp following the confidence-boosting win over Brentford. That result provided momentum heading into this European fixture, and Rosenior stressed the importance of maintaining focus regardless of personnel changes.
“We’ve prepared well,” he said. “These situations happen in football. What matters is how the group responds, and I trust every player who steps onto the pitch tonight.”
With qualification implications on the line and squad depth set to be tested, tonight’s match in Cyprus promises to be a stern examination of both fitness and resilience.
Late decisions on Enzo, careful management of Palmer, continued patience with Fofana, and the confirmed absence of Tosin ensure that Rosenior’s lineup will be watched closely right up until kick-off.
