- Chelsea injury news: Get the latest updates on Emegha, Sarr, Fofana, and Anselmino, including their injuries, availability, and expected return dates.
Chelsea head into the new Premier League season looking to improve on last year's 10th-place finish, but Xabi Alonso still has a few fitness concerns to manage.
Here is the latest Chelsea injury news, including the players currently sidelined, their injuries, and expected return dates.
Emmanuel Emegha
Injury: Hamstring Strain Status: Returning to training Expected return: Brighton, August 29
Emegha sustained a hamstring injury during a closed-door friendly against Bromley and missed the entire preseason campaign of Xabi Alonso's side. The player has returned to the training and has good progress in his fitness.
Emegha is unlikely to be involved in the opener despite making progress in his recovery, with Brighton on August 29 a more realistic target. Joao Pedro will be the starting striker for Chelsea in the opening match against Fulham.
Mamadou Sarr
Injury: Physical issue Status: Injured Expected return: To be confirmed
The 20-year-old center back faced a physical issue before the preseason match against Johor Darul Ta'zim and was completely left out of the subsequent final friendly against Real Sociedad. He is omitted from training, and Chelsea will try to offload the player through a loan move as a part of reducing options in defense.
The timeline of Sarr's return is not revealed by the manager or club.
Wesley Fofana
Issue: Suspension Status: Fit Expected return: Arsenal, September 6
Fofana is available from a fitness perspective but will miss Chelsea's opening two Premier League matches because of the red card he received against Sunderland on the final day of last season. He is expected to return against Arsenal on September 6.
Aaron Anselmino
Injury: Hamstring Injury Status: Returning to training Expected return: Brighton, August 29
During Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Johor Darul Ta’zim, Aaron Anselmino was forced off the field in tears but managed to escape a serious injury. Subsequent medical checks provided some relief, with the issue found to be less serious than initially feared.
The defender is now expected to regain full match fitness in time for Chelsea’s second Premier League fixture of the season against Bournemouth on August 29, 2026.