Crystal Palace vs Chelsea injury news with five players out with three in doubt

Chelsea make the trip to Crystal Palace for their first game of 2025. They desperately need a win to keep their title hopes alive after two consecutive defeats. The Blues lost 2-0 to Ipswich Town in their last game at Portman Road. That came after a 2-1 defeat to Fulham in their previous match.

It leaves Enzo Maresca’s side fourth in the Premier League table, 10 points off league leaders Liverpool. The Blues are currently trailing Nottingham Forest and Arsenal who also sit above them.

They face a Palace side on Saturday 4 January who beat Southampton 2-1 in their last match at Selhurst Park. It left Oliver Glasner’s side 15th in the league table, five points above the relegation zone.

Crystal Palace injury news

Firstly, Matheus Franca remains out injured with a long-term groin injury. He has been back in training and could start to play with the U21s in order to build up his fitness after over half a year out of action. Oliver Glasner said: “If a player is injured for eight months, he needs one month/six weeks to train constantly with the team. He also needs a few games with the U21s to get in shape. There’s no chance of seeing him until the middle or end of Feb.”

Star midfielder Adam Wharton will also miss the game against Chelsea with a hip injury, however he is looking at a return later on in the month. On Christmas Eve, Glasner said: “It’s difficult to tell you a timeline because we don’t know. For me, let's say, four weeks looks more realistic than two weeks.”

Finally, 19-year-old Franco Umeh is dealing with a long-term hamstring injury which he picked up early in the season. He is back in training according to Glasner, who said: “He's on the pitch now but in the rehab process. It still takes a little bit of time. I can't say when he will be back. He did very well in pre-season. And then, unfortunately, he picked up an injury.”

Crystal Palace players out: Matheus Franca, Adam Wharton, Franco Umeh

Chelsea injury news

Centre-back Wesley Fofana remains out with a hamstring injury, however, he is nearing a return. The defender is looking at a mid-January return to action for the Blues. Benoit Badiashile has also been ruled out for the trip to Palace on Saturday as he is dealing with a knock. It is not yet clear as to how long the defender will be on the side-lines for, meaning Chelsea’s depth at centre-back is still limited.

Romeo Lavia could return for the Blues, he missed the game against Ipswich, but could be looking at a return against Palace if all goes well this week in training. Maresca said before the Ipswich match: “Romeo is still recovering. He’s much, much better and out on the pitch and working, but unfortunately, he’s not ready for the next game.”

Carney Chukwuemeka has been suffering with an illness as of late, it is not understood yet as to how serious the issue is. There is a chance that he could become available for the Palace match. Finally, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is recovering from a knock that he picked up in training. It is believed to be a minor injury and he should be looking at a return on Saturday.

Chelsea players out: Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile

Chelsea players in doubt: Romeo Lavia, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall