Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior was dealt a severe blow on the eve of his first home game in charge, with a quintet of players ruled out just hours before the crucial League Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal.
The Blues ultimately fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat at Stamford Bridge on January 15, 2026, with defensive errors from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez proving costly. Despite a spirited fightback and a brace from substitute Alejandro Garnacho, goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Zubimendi handed Mikel Arteta's side a significant advantage heading to the Emirates.
Late Withdrawals Disrupt Rosenior's Plans
The match was overshadowed by a sudden wave of fitness issues in the Chelsea camp. Five first-team players were forced to withdraw on the day of the match, disrupting Rosenior's tactical preparations for his debut in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
The new boss, appointed as Enzo Maresca's permanent successor, now faces a race against time to get key personnel fit for his first Premier League fixture against Brentford this Saturday.
Key Player Updates and Expected Returns
Rosenior provided updates on the stricken stars after the final whistle, offering a mix of short-term concern and longer-term absences.
Cole Palmer missed the Arsenal clash due to a persistent groin issue that has plagued his campaign. However, Rosenior offered reassurance, stating: "Unfortunately for Cole, he's obviously an outstanding player, he should be available for Saturday, but didn't quite make it for this one."
Captain Reece James was sidelined with a hip knock. Rosenior's comments suggested it was a minor setback, indicating his skipper should be ready to face Brentford.
Full-back Malo Gusto also picked up an unspecified issue, but the manager confirmed the Frenchman is expected to be fit for the weekend.
Attackers Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens both fell ill on the morning of the match. Unless their conditions worsen, both are anticipated to be in contention for the Brentford game.
Long-Term Absences Continue to Haunt Chelsea
Beyond the immediate crisis, Chelsea's long-term injury woes show no sign of abating.
Midfielder Romeo Lavia remains out indefinitely, with no clear return date following an injury sustained in a Champions League clash against Qarabag earlier in the season.
In a major blow, defender Levi Colwill will not play again this campaign. The centre-back, who last featured in Chelsea's Club World Cup final victory over Paris Saint-Germain, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the summer and is targeting a return next season.
The mounting injury list presents a significant early challenge for Liam Rosenior as he seeks to stabilise Chelsea's season and overturn the deficit in the second leg against Arsenal.
