Overview

• Enzo Maresca has ruled Cole Palmer out of Chelsea’s next three fixtures after a groin flare-up.
• Jose Mourinho praised Palmer as “phenomenal” and said Chelsea can cope without him, contrasting that with Benfica’s reliance on Heorhiy Sudakov or Vangelis Pavlidis.
• Palmer was substituted after 21 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United last weekend.
• Centre-back depth is strained with Tosin Adarabioyo out with a calf injury and Wesley Fofana recovering from concussion, limiting Maresca’s options.
• Tuesday’s tie is Mourinho’s fourth match in charge of Benfica since his early-September appointment, following two wins and a draw.