Chelsea supporters are eagerly awaiting updates on Cole Palmer’s status as head coach Enzo Maresca is uncertain about the midfielder’s fitness ahead of the Sunday match against Arsenal.
Palmer sustained an injury during a recent 1-1 tie with Manchester United after a harsh tackle from Lisandro Martinez in the closing moments of the game. Despite continuing to play for a short while, he later required ice for the injury, causing concern among fans regarding his condition.
Maresca voiced his disappointment over the referee’s failure to penalize Martinez, emphasizing that the challenge wasn’t aimed at the ball.
His priority remains Palmer’s recovery, with a scan planned to evaluate the injury’s severity.
Uncertainty looms for Cole Palmer before crucial fixture
Palmer, who has been left out of Chelsea’s Conference League squad until after Christmas, has not trained with the team following the match.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Maresca commented, “Cole didn’t train yesterday, so we will check today if he can join us.” He expressed hope for Palmer’s participation but acknowledged the need to wait for updates.
Should Palmer be unavailable, Maresca will face a challenging selection scenario for Chelsea’s final Premier League game before the November break.
Enzo Fernandez might move into a more forward midfield role, similar to his performance against Manchester City earlier this season. Alternatively, Joao Felix, who has recently performed well in cup matches, could be chosen to take over Palmer’s influential spot.
Chelsea fans will be praying that Palmer’s injury isn’t severe, as his absence could significantly hinder the team’s chances in the vital encounter against Arsenal.