Leicester City has been hit by a major blow ahead of their upcoming clash with Chelsea and former manager Enzo Maresca, with two key attackers ruled out due to injuries sustained during international duty. The Foxes now face an uphill battle to field a full-strength attacking lineup for next weekend’s fixture, with Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu both sidelined.
Ayew, who has been instrumental in Leicester’s campaign since his summer arrival, underwent an MRI scan following Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola, which revealed significant knee issues. Fatawu, who has impressed with his dynamic performances, was substituted during the first half of the same match after picking up an injury. Both players have since been released from international duty by the Ghanaian Football Association.
The loss of Ayew and Fatawu adds to Leicester’s growing injury list, which already includes Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Patson Daka, and Jamie Vardy, all of whom are working towards recovery. With five attackers potentially unavailable for the Chelsea game, manager Steve Cooper is facing a major selection dilemma as he prepares for the visit of a Chelsea side that has been in impressive form under Maresca’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Maresca has his own concerns, with several key players—including Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana, and Malo Gusto—currently sidelined through injury. The former Leicester boss will be hoping for a strong response from his Chelsea squad as they aim to consolidate their position in the Premier League ahead of a busy festive period.
Leicester’s attacking woes will only increase the pressure on Cooper to find alternative solutions as the Foxes look to recover from recent setbacks and put up a competitive performance against one of the league’s top sides.