Chelsea’s injury list is mercifully short heading into the hectic winter schedule but there is one indispensable name on it.
Enzo Maresca has revealed that Cole Palmer has joined Jadon Sancho in the treatment room ahead of Sunday’s Premier League battle with London rivals Arsenal. Chelsea’s deep squad leaves them covered for almost every eventuality, but Palmer’s absence is the exception.
Chelsea supporters will be praying on the fitness of their lead creator, who tops the charts for goals and assists in the Premier League for the Blues this season.
Here’s the latest injury news on Palmer.
Palmer’s injury was sustained during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday. The 22-year-old was on the receiving end of a nasty tackle from centre-back Lisandro Martinez late in proceedings, with the Argentine’s studs raking down Palmer’s knee. Somehow, he avoided a red card for the challenge.
Maresca was furious with the tackle after the full-time whistle, stating: “I told [the referee] at the end of the game that if you don’t go for the ball and you just go for the player it is a red. When there’s no intention to go for the ball and you go for the player’s legs, for me there’s no doubt for the decision. I think it’s quite clear that it was a red.”
The Chelsea boss confirmed Palmer’s injury ahead of Chelsea’s clash with FC Noah on Thursday, although the England international has not been named in the Blues’ Europa Conference League squad and will therefore not be involved against the Armenian minnows regardless of injury.
When will Cole Palmer return from injury?
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Maresca revealed that Palmer is a significant doubt ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
“He didn’t train yesterday [Tuesday]. So we’ll see today if he’s able to train with us. We hope so, but we need to wait, we need to see, then we’ll decide,” said Maresca.
“Yes [it’s a risk]. He didn’t train the last few days, the tackle was not a normal one. Hopefully he can be back.”
Chelsea will be desperate to have Palmer available for Sunday’s duel with the Gunners but will be eager not to rush him back into the fold. With the likes of Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku, they have elite talents capable of operating in the number ten position.
Palmer’s fitness concerns also make him a major doubt to feature in November’s England squad. The international break begins after this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures and the Chelsea star could be missing from the Three Lions squad to face Greece and Ireland in the UEFA Nations League.
Chelsea return from the international break on Saturday 23 November when they visit newly-promoted Leicester City in the Premier League.
