Enzo Maresca has already been dealt a major blow ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the 2025/26 season.
With the Premier League fixtures for next campaign released at 9am on Wednesday, the Blues now know who they will face and when, with their season starting at Stamford Bridge against the Eagles on Sunday, August 17. Maresca’s side face West Ham, Fulham, Brentford, Manchester United and Brighton in their first six games of the season.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, Nicolas Jackson will miss the opener against Crystal Palace due to suspension. The 23-year-old was given a three-match ban after picking up a red card during the west Londoners’ 2-0 defeat to Newcastle last term.
He was given his marching orders for an elbow on Sven Botman with 35 minutes on the clock. With Jackson sent off for serious foul play via a straight red card, he was banned for Chelsea’s wins against Man Utd and Nottingham Forest, as well as the opening game of the 2025/26 season.
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“The red card has affected the game, no doubt,” said Maresca after the loss to Newcastle. “In this stadium against this team it’s already complicated and if you give them one extra player it’s even more difficult. But overall I think, especially in the second half, we had three big chances. With 10 players it’s not easy.
“In terms of the red card, I think if the referee decides for a red card, it’s a red card. The only thing is in some different stadiums, sometimes it’s more the noise that decides if it’s foul or not.
“And then with Nico I didn’t speak [to him], it’s not the moment. Probably in the next day we’re going to speak with Nico.”
While Jackson will be suspended for the match against Crystal Palace, he will be available for the Blues’ second league match of the season against West Ham on August 23. Maresca will have Liam Delap to call upon after the striker signed from Ipswich Town for £30million earlier this month, while the west Londoners continue to be linked with the likes of Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike.
