Chelsea’s defensive injuries have continued with Colwill, Cucurella, Gusto and Tosin all set to start. Lavia is a doubt, so Caicedo and Fernandez could start in the deeper roles with four of Nkunku, Felix, Neto, Palmer, Jackson, Madueke and Sancho starting ahead of them.

Chelsea couldn't hang on against Fulham and are now in danger of relinquishing second place in the Premier League standings.

Instead, this was must-view football for the many who have viewed Chelsea's place in the title race as indisputable. Enzo Maresca would not count himself among that group and on the evidence of the final eight minutes plus added time,

The opening of a transfer window usually means the opening of the chequebook at Chelsea, but January is expected to provide a break with recent tradition. The club’s hierarchy viewed the summer window as the culmination of a cycle that saw almost the entire first-team squad overhauled and with Enzo Maresca’s team flying high in the Premier League,

Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on one ‘fantastic’ Premier League star who has been heavily linked with a big money transfer to Chelsea. After losing in injury-time to Fulham on Boxing Day, Chelsea will look to bounce back on Monday when they travel to struggling Ipswich Town.

Chelsea news as Enzo Maresca faces new scrutiny as pattern starts to emerge at a worrying time for his team after late Fulham collapse