Enzo Maresca has delivered a crucial fitness update for Erling Haaland ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League fixture, suggesting the Norwegian striker is likely to feature against AEK Athens. The 25-year-old sustained an injury during Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Ipswich Town, where he scored twice before limping off in stoppage time following a challenge with Jack Clarke. Despite the concerning nature of the incident, Maresca expressed optimism regarding Haaland’s recovery, noting that the forward showed significant improvement in his post-match condition and is expected to undergo a final assessment during Tuesday’s training session.
Chelsea boss offers relief on striker’s status while confirming long-term layoff for winger.
While the news on Haaland is positive, Maresca confirmed a significant setback for the squad with the announcement that Antoine Semenyo will be sidelined for approximately two months. The winger’s long-term absence represents a tactical blow to Chelsea’s attacking depth, forcing Maresca to rely heavily on his remaining frontline options. This update clarifies the scope of Semenyo’s injury, which has kept him out of recent action, and signals that he will miss the critical early stages of the European campaign.
Haaland’s availability remains the primary focus for Chelsea as they prepare for their European opener. The manager emphasized that while the striker is “quite good” and improving, a final medical decision will be made after today’s training. If Haaland clears the fitness test, he will return to the starting lineup for the first time since the Ipswich match, providing Chelsea with their most potent goal-scoring threat in a high-stakes Champions League encounter.
Source: The Independent Sport
