Chelsea put the club’s head of medical onto the bench after former head coach Enzo Maresca repeatedly refused to substitute players returning from injury.

It’s understood that officials sent Maresca a formal letter to remind him of his responsibilities as the relationship between the Italian and his bosses reached breaking point at Chelsea.

Following ‘re-injuries’ to two, unnamed players, Chelsea took the unusual step of inserting Australian Bryce Cavanagh into the technical area.

The move was made so Cavanagh could remind Maresca of the agreed times when those coming back from injury should be taken off to minimise the risk of a relapse.

[Mike Keegan - Daily Mail]

#CFC #Chelsea

🗣️ Liam Rosenior on whether he will “protect” Estêvão like former head coach Enzo Maresca did:

“I understand why fans are frustrated when he’s not on the pitch because when you see him on the pitch he just does magical things. He’s 18-years-old. He’s come from a completely different culture, completely different way of playing, different weather, different intensity.

“Protect is one word and I agree with that but look after is probably a better term. I want him to have an outstanding career. I also want him to help us win now. There’s a fine balance between the two.

“So for me, I’m going to use him when I think it’s the right time for us as a team and he’s got a really, really good chance of starting the game. If not the game on Wednesday then against Brentford on Saturday.”

(Via Bobby Vincent - Football London)

#CFC

IT’S MATCHDAY! 🔵

🆚 Arsenal
🏆 Carabao Cup Semi-Final (1st Leg)
🕐 20:00 KO
🏟️ Stamford Bridge

Leave your score predictions in the comments!👇

#CFC

Our 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 lineup for tonight’s match against @Arsenal_london [H] in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

✍️ by franstanic

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬:

— Moises Caicedo is suspended.

— Cole Palmer & Malo Gusto are both doubts with minor problems.

— Romeo Lavia remains out due to a quad injury.

— Levi Colwill is out with a long-term injury.

Feel free to leave your thoughts. 🔵⬇️

#CFC

Chelsea and David Datro Fofana are working on a permanent exit this January.

It’s understood Celtic, Royal Antwerp and Derby County have all expressed interest over a potential deal.

Fofana is currently on loan at Karagümrük and has seven goals in all competitions with the Turkish side.

[fabrizioromano]

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC

All I need tonight:
- Chelsea win
- End the game with 11 players
-Atleast +2 GD heading into the 2nd leg
- Nigeria win in a simultaneous game
- No CFC red card
- No red card please.

🏡

#CFC | #CarabaoCup

Liam Rosenior arrives at Stamford Bridge for his first home game as Chelsea boss.🔵

Our starting XI 🆚 @Arsenal_london! ✊

#CFC | #CarabaoCup

🚨 OFFICIAL: The following Chelsea players have not been inlcuded in tonight's matchday squad:

❌️ Reece James
❌️ Cole Palmer
❌️ Liam Delap
❌️ Jamie Gittens
❌️ Malo Gusto
❌️ Moisés Caicedo (suspended)

#CFC | #CarabaoCup

🚨 Liam Rosenior:

"I would love to be here for six years and longer. In order for that to happen I need to win. It's as simple as that.

"I've got ideas of what I want the team to look like in a year or two or three years time. But I think I have got enough resources and tools with me now to win. I've made that clear to the players.

"Every session that I take, every meeting that I take, every game that we play is the most important thing. I'm not making it [Arsenal tie] any bigger than the fact it's the next game - and we have to win."

(bbc5live) #CFC

COME ON CHELSEA! 💙

🔵 0-0 🔴 [1] #CFC | #CarabaoCup