Liam Grace
Published December 2, 2025 11:04am
Updated December 2, 2025 11:07am
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Enzo Maresca may need to find a way to cope without both players against Leeds (Picture: Getty)
Moises Caicedo has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season but Chelsea won’t have him available against Leeds United.
The midfielder is suspended for Chelsea’s next three games after a red card for a horror tackle on Mikel Merino in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
There are huge question marks over the fitness of Chelsea captain Reece James for the clash against Leeds too, meaning Enzo Maresca may need to find a way to cope without both players.
Usually deployed as a right-back, James has been moved into midfield amid Romeo Lavia’s ongoing injury problems, and shined against the Gunners last time out, with pundit Daniel Sturridge labelling him a ‘beast’.
James played the full 90 minutes and covered huge ground with Chelsea being forced to play with 10 men for the majority of the match but he is still being carefully managed by Blues boss Maresca to avoid injury.
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‘It’s complicated,’ Maresca said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday when quizzed if James would start against Leeds. ‘I would like to start him every game, but we need to see.’
With Caicedo ruled out, and James needing some form of rest, here’s how Chelsea can deal without the two stars as they renew their rivalry with Leeds at Elland Road on Wednesday night…
Andrey Santos to partner Enzo Fernandez?
Andrey Santos looks likely to start against Leeds United (Picture: Getty)
James lined up alongside Caicedo in Chelsea’s midfield for the draw against Arsenal with Enzo Fernandez pushed further forward – but it’s more than likely the Argentine will return to a deeper position against Leeds.
You can expect Andrey Santos to be handed his fourth Premier League start of the season to partner Fernandez in Chelsea’s midfield.
‘Andrey is ready,’ Maresca said on Tuesday. ‘His position is playing as a No.6, like Moi, but he is ready. When players are not available, we need to find solutions. Now we need to do something different.’
Enzo Fernandez looks set to drop down to a deeper midfield position (Picture: Getty)
Santos has been patiently waiting for chances under Maresca and had a full rest on Sunday, having not made it off the bench against Arsenal.
Santos played the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 win over Burnley on November 22 and massively impressed for the Blues, with 13 defensive actions against Scott Parker’s side, more than any other player on the pitch.
Andrey Santos' performance against Burnley
Andrey Santos was one of Chelsea’s best players against Burnley (Picture: Getty)
- Minutes played – 90
- Key passes – 1
- Tackles (won) – 3 (2)
- Interceptions – 5
- Clearances – 4
- Blocked shots – 1
- Total defensive actions – 13
- Ground duels (won) – 7 (5)
- Aerial duels (won) – 3 (2)
Speaking to the BBC after the win against Burnley, Santos said: ‘I think today is my best [ever] performance [for Chelsea].’
Josh Acheampong to partner Enzo Fernandez?
Josh Acheampong is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder (Picture: Getty)
Josh Acheampong, normally used as a centre-back or right-back, is capable of playing in defensive midfield too and could partner Fernandez instead of Santos.
Acheampong has had plenty of rest in recent weeks, having been an unused substitute in Chelsea’s last four Premier League games.
Maresca mentioned Acheampong when quizzed about replacing Caicedo in his press conference.
‘One that can play good in that position is Josh [Acheampong], but we will see,’ Maresca said.
Enzo Maresca set to reshuffle Chelsea’s attack
If Fernandez drops deeper to partner Santos or Acheampong against Leeds, it begs the question: Who will start in the attacking midfield role?
Cole Palmer is finally back from a groin problem and returned to Chelsea’s matchday squad against Arsenal – but didn’t make it off the bench.
The Englishman is unlikely to be named in the Chelsea XI against Leeds but he is set to come on this time to get ‘some minutes’ under his belt.
‘He is available,’ Maresca said on Tuesday. ‘He was on the bench last game. With 10 players, it was more complicated for Cole because he needs to come back in terms of fitness condition.
‘The idea is to give him some minutes until he can play 90 minutes.’
It is likely that Maresca will start Joao Pedro instead – with Liam Delap playing ahead of the Brazilian up top.
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