Chelsea defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are both ineligible for Enzo Maresca this weekend against Liverpool in the Premier League because they are each serving a one-match suspension.
Despite being just seven matches into the new season, both men have already accumulated five bookings in the Premier League. As such, they are both banned for one game in the same competition, which happens to be this weekend against Liverpool.
Cucurella and Fofana both received their bookings during the ill-tempered draw with Nottingham Forest prior to the October international break. The former received his booking after both sides were involved in touchline pushing and shoving sparked by Cucurella appearing to be barged into manager Maresca by Neco Williams.
Fofana meanwhile picked up his fifth caution of the campaign deep into stoppage time, which prevents him from playing any part in the game this weekend. The Premier League clash on Merseyside is the standout fixture of the weekend as Arne Slot faces his first major test at Anfield.
Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League and could extend their lead at the summit with a win. However, should Chelsea return to London with all three points, they will close the gap to a solitary point and announce themselves as potential title contenders this season.
Both Cucurella and Fofana will be available to feature for the Blues on Thursday night when Chelsea face the long away trip to Panathinaikos in the Conference League before returning to Stamford Bridge the following Sunday to take on Newcastle United.
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