Cole Palmer injury boost as Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca provides exciting update | Football | Sport
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer is fit to face Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend. The playmaker has been sidelined since September due to a recurrence of the groin problem that troubled him early in the campaign. A fractured toe threatened to delay his comeback further, but after training in a specially-designed boot, Maresca has given him the all-clear.
Speaking at Friday’s press conference, he said: “He [Palmer] is available for both [to start and to play].” Palmer could have featured against Burnley or Barcelona over the past week had it not been for the unfortunate domestic accident, which Maresca revealed earlier this month. He had initially ruled out an Arsenal return, but the situation has since improved.
Prior to the Burnley fixture, he said: “Unfortunately he had an accident at home with his toe. But it’s nothing important. For sure he is not back next week.”
Pressed on Palmer’s condition, Maresca added: “We don’t know. It’s fractured. The only thing we know is he is not available for this week and next week.”
Maresca received further positive news with Dario Essugo back in training following an extended absence. Levi Colwill remains a long-term casualty whilst Romeo Lavia picked up another knock earlier this month, with his return date yet to be determined.
Estevao Willian was treated for an injury during the Champions League victory over Barcelona, but he is expected to be fit for Sunday’s game.
Arsenal have also been grappling with a few injuries, but these have lessened in recent weeks. Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli are all back in action, with Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz nearing their return.
On the latter pair, Arteta commented: “We have another day tomorrow. So let’s see how it goes. Clear, not yet. But they are getting closer and closer.”
Leandro Trossard suffered an injury in their 3-1 triumph over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but Arteta hinted that he might play.
He stated: “With Leo, there is another test today, we’ll have to see how he’s feeling, and it doesn’t look like much, so we still have a few hours, and we’ll have to wait and see. There is a potential chance [he is available], yeah.”
If the Belgian international does not start, it is likely that former Chelsea winger Madueke will be deployed from the beginning.
