Enzo Maresca discovers Chelsea star's 'crazy' injury as Lionel Messi sends transfer message

Our opinion on the latest Chelsea news and transfer gossip ahead of the Blues' clash against Liverpool this weekend

Enzo Maresca only has a few more days on the training pitches at Cobham before Chelsea return to action. The Blues will lock horns with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, knowing a win could prove decisive in the Premier League title race.

Before the international break, Chelsea were held to a 1-1 a draw with Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, the Reds enjoyed a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. With Arsenal playing Bournemouth and Manchester City facing Wolves, the two sides will be playing catch-up.

So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest Chelsea news and transfer gossip.

Chelsea star injury explained

Filip Jorgensen has suffered a freak injury ahead of Chelsea's clash against Liverpool. football.london understands that the 22-year-old goalkeeper suffered an eye injury during Denmark Under-21s' 2-0 victory over Iceland on Tuesday evening.

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In fact, he actually lost vision for a while, forcing his head coach to make a change between the sticks. After the game, Steffen Hojer provided an update on Jorgensen, who joined the west Londoners from Villarreal for £20m in the summer. Speaking to Bold, the boss said: "It is crazy how unlucky he is. Now that quota must be used up."

On the half-time change, Hojer added: "It wasn't planned. Instead, it's a semi-bad habit we've got into with changing goalkeepers. He got hit down there and wasn't quite at his best.

"We decided to take him out, so we didn't have to go back to Chelsea with something or other. I don't know how he's doing. But I don't think it's something that people should be worried about. We just didn't want to take any chances."

football.london says: "It's an unfortunate blow, but I expect that Enzo Maresca was planning to start Robert Sanchez at the weekend. Hopefully, Filip Jorgensen will be back in action as soon as possible."

Messi heaps praise on Chelsea target

Lionel Messi has heaped praise on Nico Paz, who's recently been linked with a move to the Premier League ahead of the January transfer window. The 20-year-old midfielder made his senior debut for Argentina during a 6-0 win over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.

Speaking to reporters after the game, as quoted by Goal, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said: "We played very well between the lines, at a high level. Now Nico Paz has made his debut, and he has a lot of quality and I hope he continues to grow.

"He wasn't born when I made my debut in Primera, yes, I knew (laughs). He has a great head. He understands the game perfectly and I hope he continues like this. He played, he enjoyed it and I think he'll feel comfortable in this team because he likes having the ball."

According to TBR Football, Arsenal and Chelsea are among several clubs who have been keeping tabs on Paz. The report states that 'more than half a dozen Premier League sides' showed an interest in the Argentinean prior to his move to Como from Real Madrid in the summer.

football.london says: "I haven't watched much of Nico Paz, but he seems to be a great talent with lots of potential."

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