By admin 
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has delivered a positive team update ahead of the club’s two most important fixtures of the season, confirming that forwards Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are both fit and ready for selection.
The Blues are preparing for a critical Premier League clash this Sunday against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, a match that could decide Chelsea’s place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Chelsea currently sit fifth on 66 points, level with Newcastle and Aston Villa, but boast a superior goal difference.
Nkunku and Guiu have returned to full training and are expected to play a role this weekend. Speaking to the media at Cobham, Maresca said:
“Yes, Christo is available. He’s been training with us for the last few days. Marc Guiu is the same. They can both be in the squad for the Forest game.”
Maresca also confirmed that Reece James will be part of the squad, although he continues to follow a customised training programme to manage his fitness after injury.
“Reece is okay. He’ll be part of the squad. We’re managing him carefully, but he is available for Sunday.”
The match against Forest is seen as a must-win. A victory will virtually guarantee Chelsea Champions League football next season. With multiple teams still in contention, Maresca underlined the significance of taking care of business on the pitch.
“If we win, it’s in our hands. We don’t need to look at anyone else. That’s the position we want to be in,” he said.
Following Sunday’s clash, Chelsea will quickly shift focus to their Europa Conference League final against Real Betis, set to be played in Poland just three days later.
Maresca revealed plans to rotate his squad between the two matches due to the tight turnaround.
“We will have to make changes, no doubt. We need to manage energy and recovery. It’s a short period between Sunday and Wednesday.”
The coach noted that juggling high-stakes domestic and European matches highlights the depth and resilience required in top-flight football.
“It shows how competitive the Premier League is when this many teams are still fighting for European spots. We are happy to be here, and we want to finish the season strong.”
Chelsea fans will be eager to see the return of Nkunku and Guiu, and hopeful the team can secure a strong finish both in the league and in Europe.
The club’s Champions League hopes rest on a positive result against Forest, while silverware remains within reach with the Conference League final just around the corner.