Chelsea loses key players after matches in Bolivia: how will it affect the team.

Situation at Chelsea before matches

According to The Sun: Head coach Enzo Maresca is eagerly awaiting news on Wednesday morning when his South American players will play in the final qualifying matches for the World Cup.

Brazil national team players - João Pedro, Estevan and André Santos - will return to London from Bolivia after playing at the highest international stadium in the world.

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El Alto Stadium in La Paz is located at an altitude of 4150 meters above sea level, making it difficult for players to adapt.

The game at this stadium was banned by FIFA in 2007, but thanks to a campaign supported by Diego Maradona, this ban was eventually lifted.

“My game in 2007 was extremely unusual,” remembers Neymar, recounting his experience in a match at a stadium located 560 meters lower. Back then, the Brazilians were forced to wear oxygen masks in the locker room due to the difficulties they faced during the game.

Thus, Maresca may expect that Pedro, Estevan and Santos will return to the club extremely tired after a 14-hour flight.

Moises Caicedo will also return from Ecuador on a long flight before the Premier League derby against Brentford on Saturday evening.

Team prospects

Such trips can create serious difficulties in forming a lineup before a potentially tough match. Attention will be focused on training on Thursday to find out which players will be able to participate in the game on Friday, before the match on Saturday at 8:00 PM.

Pedro, Caicedo, and Estevan have already contributed to all seven of Chelsea's goals this season, underlining their importance to the team.

Chelsea has the highest number of South American players—seven—among league clubs.

Fortunately, Maresca can rely on three Argentines in the squad.

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Chelsea newcomers Facundo Buonanotte and Alejandro Garnacho were not called up by Lionel Scaloni, while Enzo Fernandez rested in Greece due to suspension.

After injuries to Palmer, Liam Delap, and Levi Colwill, the medical staff of the team has significantly increased. Diarío Esutgo suffered a right thigh injury and needs up to three weeks to recover.

Caicedo missed Ecuador's match against Paraguay due to “physical discomfort,” but he is expected to participate in the game against Argentina.

This leaves Chelsea with squad problems, as Romeo Lavia will also not be able to help the team. If Caicedo cannot play, the club will have to rely on Santos, Fernandez, and Reece James.

Maresca hopes for the return of Cole Palmer, who hinted that “he will be back soon” in his latest post on Instagram.

When that will happen is still unclear, but the Chelsea coach hopes that, even if Palmer misses the match against Brentford, he can be ready for the important Champions League match in Munich in four days.

Chelsea is expecting tough games in the coming days, so the coach and the team have many challenges. With injured players and new circumstances arising, Maresca must find the optimal squad for the matches so that the team can achieve the desired result. Important competitions in the Champions League are already on the horizon, so player adaptation will be critically important for success.