Four Chelsea injury updates, Enzo Maresca's constant headache, 'different' Joao Pedro claim

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Chelsea will face Wolves in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and Enzo Maresca has spoken to reporters in his pre-match press conference

12:31, 28 Oct 2025Updated 12:33, 28 Oct 2025

Enzo Maresca has once again addressed the media as he previewed Chelsea's clash against Wolves in the Carabao Cup.

The Blues will face their Premier League rivals in the fourth round of the competition as they look to secure a spot in the quarter-final. Chelsea beat Lincoln City in the previous round, but go into the game against Wolves on the back of a defeat to Sunderland in the Premier League at the weekend.

Maresca held a pre-match press conference on Tuesday to preview the clash between Chelsea and Wolves in the Carabao Cup. With that in mind, football.london takes a look at some of the highlights from the Blues manager's media duties.

Injury updates

Maresca was asked about Liam Delap's fitness with the striker recently recovering from a hamstring injury that he suffered in August.

Delap has returned to training, with Maresca confirming that the summer signing is available to face Wolves in the Carabao Cup.

"Yes, he took part of a complete session yesterday and he is available for tomorrow," said Maresca. "90 minutes, no, he's been out two months so he needs to be gradually back to 100%."

Maresca also offered a selection hint about the team that he will name to face Wolves. The Chelsea boss explained why three players in particular - Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro - need to have their fitness monitored.

"They are probably players that need to be protected. Probably tomorrow," said Maresca.

"We will see. Enzo, Moi and Joao, they are all different players for different reasons we need to protect them."

Joao Pedro importance

Maresca was also asked about Pedro's form since his move to Chelsea, with the striker without a goal in any of his last eight appearances for the club.

“For sure the physical part is important," said Maresca. "When you are not 100%, it's difficult to compete, especially in this league. But I think Joao is not a problem at all.

"He's going to score goals with us. He's going to give us assists, knowing that Joao Pedro is not a No.9 that is going to score 20 goals each year.

“It's not Joao, he's a fantastic player, he's going to score goals for us, he's going to give us assists. But it's a different kind of nine, like this kind of nine that they score 20-25 goals each year like Lewandowski, Mbappe or Haaland. This is a different kind of No.9.”