Chelsea, Barcelona Receive Key Injury Returns Ahead of Crucial Matches

Barcelona received encouraging injury updates as Robert Lewandowski and Joan Garcia are nearing returns ahead of their match against Elche, although several key players remain sidelined. Meanwhile, Chelsea's Liam Delap is fit and available for their upcoming EFL Cup clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers after a two-month hamstring injury, though manager Enzo Maresca plans to rotate the squad and ease Delap back gradually. Maresca emphasized the importance of all competitions and intends to make significant changes to the starting lineup to manage player fatigue. Additionally, Chelsea secured a short-term sponsorship deal worth £17–18 million with FPT Corporation, providing financial stability to support Maresca's rebuilding efforts despite ongoing commercial challenges. The club faces the need for a long-term financial strategy, particularly securing a multi-year front-of-shirt deal to ensure sustained growth. Both teams are preparing for important fixtures while managing injuries and squad rotations to maintain competitiveness.