Trevoh Chalobah: Chelsea suspension explained with Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo return dates

Chelsea cruised to a 1-0 lead in the first half against Brighton on Saturday afternoon but endured a calamitous second half that saw all three points slip from their grasp at Stamford Bridge.

A red card to defender Trevoh Chalobah early in the second half caused the Blues to lose control, the centre-back sent for an early shower having stopped a clear goal scoring opportunity. The Seagulls found a leveller through Danny Welbeck after 77 minutes and then a winner through Maxim De Cuyper in injury time. Welbeck then struck home a third in the dying moments.

The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Chelsea with a Champions League meeting and more Premier League action next week.

How many matches will Trevoh Chalobah miss for Chelsea?

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah was sent off against Brighton for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity when clattering into Seagulls forward Diego Gomez. A statement from the Premier League Match Centre clarified the decision.

It read: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no foul by Chelsea’s Chalobah. Referee announcement: ‘After review, there was a clear foul by the Chelsea No 23. Therefore, it denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, resulting in a red card and a free-kick. Final decision is a red card to Chelsea No 23’.”

The infringement was a professional foul and therefore Chalobah will be handed a one match suspension, similar to that of Robert Sanchez for his red card against Manchester United. Chalobah will therefore miss the match against Liverpool next weekend.

Can Chalobah play in the Champions League against Benfica?

Trevoh Chalobah will be eligible to face Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge with the Portuguese side for matchday two of the European competition.

With central defensive options at a premium, Chalobah is likely to start under the lights in west London. The defender only has 53 minutes in his legs from the Brighton game and will not play next weekend against Liverpool.

Chalobah has made 10 Champions League appearances over his career, including 90 minutes in the 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich earlier this month. His only goal in the tournament came against Juventus in a 4-0 win of November 2021.

Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo fitness update and return dates

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca provided an update on the fitness of Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo prior to this weekend’s meeting with Brighton. Both players missed out from the matchday squad against the Seagulls.

Fofana played 90 minutes against Lincoln City in midweek but was unable to feature against Brighton due to concussion. It is hopeful that after his match out he can return against Benfica, and therefore be fit for the visit of Liverpool. However, two sets of 90 minutes would be a lot in a short space of time for a player who has managed a full 90 just once this campaign.

Meanwhile, former Fulham man Adarabioyo started four back to back matches against West Ham, Fulham, Brentford and Manchester United but then missed out of the squad against Lincoln City. He is not expected back until after the upcoming international break, meaning he cannot fill in for Chalobah.

In his press conference, Maresca said: “Tosin [Adarabioyo] is injured. He will probably be out until the international break, he has a small problem in his calf. Wes Fofana had concussion against Lincoln. The rest are okay."

Levi Colwill has not played this season as he works his way back from an ACL injury. The defender underwent surgery for that problem this summer and is on the road to recoverer, but is not expected back any time soon.

In other news, Enzo Maresca applauds one Chelsea star but shouts at another in first half against Brighton.