According to a report by Metro on Friday, October 30, 2026, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is expected to be without six players when his team host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s Premier League match.

Chelsea will be looking to recover from their disappointing defeat to Tottenham last weekend and return to winning ways. However, their preparations for the important fixture have been affected by several injury concerns, with defender Maxence Lacroix becoming the latest player to join the club’s growing injury list.

Lacroix, who arrived at Chelsea during the summer in a £52 million deal, picked up a hamstring injury during the club’s EFL Cup meeting with Liverpool. The defender reportedly suffered the problem while tracking Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and was unable to continue playing. He was subsequently replaced by Levi Colwill.

Another defender expected to miss the Manchester United encounter is Jorrel Hato. The young Dutch player was also absent from Chelsea’s squad for the midweek match against Liverpool as he continues working towards full fitness. His recovery has not progressed enough to make him available for Saturday’s game.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is another absentee as he continues recovering from surgery on a fractured jaw. However, Alonso has provided some encouragement regarding his situation, suggesting that the goalkeeper could be available for Chelsea’s meeting with Sunderland next week if his recovery continues as expected.

Joao Pedro will also remain unavailable because of a thigh injury that forced him to miss the defeat against Tottenham. His absence represents another setback for Chelsea as they prepare to face a Manchester United side that will also have injury concerns of its own.

Meanwhile, Reece James is not expected to return until early 2027 after undergoing minor knee surgery earlier this month. The Chelsea captain will therefore remain out for an extended period as he works towards regaining full fitness.

Jamie Gittens completes the list of six expected absentees, with the winger still recovering from an ankle injury.

With several players unavailable, Alonso will have to consider his remaining options when selecting his starting eleven and substitutes for the weekend fixture. Chelsea will be hoping that the available players can deliver a strong performance against Manchester United despite the injury problems affecting the squad.