Cole Palmer left at home by Chelsea for Atalanta clash as reason explained | Football | Sport
Cole Palmer was absent from first-team training ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League match against Atalanta and then left out of the squad that travelled to Italy. The Blues are set to face off against the Italian side at the New Balance Arena on Tuesday night, aiming to secure their place in the knockout stages. The 23-year-old midfielder made his first start for Enzo Maresca’s team since September over the weekend, as Bournemouth held Chelsea to a goalless draw.
Palmer was substituted for Joao Pedro just before the 60-minute mark. But there is no cause for concern, and Palmer’s absence is simply part of a planned return to action after a lengthy period out. The England international hasn’t travelled with the squad to Bergamo, but the Blues hope he will be fit to play against Everton on Saturday.
Speaking to journalists at the Vitality Stadium, Maresca gave an update on Palmer. The Chelsea manager stated: “[He] played half an hour the other day, played one hour today. So now it’s important that he can build the physical condition.”
And Maresca added in his pre-Atalanta press conference: “Cole is part of his process in this moment, he’s not available, he can’t play two games in a row in three days. So we’ve planned that and it’s just a way to protect him.”
However, Moises Caicedo was seen training at Cobham, along with Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, and Marc Cucurella. Liam Delap was absent, having sustained a shoulder injury in the draw. Maresca added: “Liam fortunately is not any fracture, so that is good news.”
The Blues surged into the Champions League ‘league phase’ top eight at November’s close following a commanding 3-0 triumph over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea opened the scoring within the first thirty minutes when they forced Jules Kounde into an unfortunate own goal.
Estevao extended the west London outfit’s advantage with a brilliant individual effort shortly after the interval. Delap then sealed the victory, steering the ball beyond Joan Garcia from close quarters to complete the rout.
“For me, personally, as you said, it’s a big win, especially because the other team was Barcelona,” Maresca reflected following the momentous victory. “But nothing changed in terms of what team we are, what we can achieve.
“So for sure it’s important tonight’s game, but no more than that. It’s finished, now focus on the next one that is difficult again.”
The Chelsea manager continued: “For sure, winning the Club World Cup gives the players the confidence that they need. Last year, we were playing in the Conference League, and I said many times that, for me personally, if you want to build a winning mentality, there is only one way.
“Winning games. Because otherwise, if you don’t win games, it’s difficult to convince the players, guys, we are building a winning mentality. But when we don’t win, it’s difficult.
“So the only way in any competition, Conference League, Champions League this season, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, is to win games. It’s the only way to build the winning mentality.
“And I think the Conference League and the Club World Cup last season helped a lot. And now we are trying to do exactly the same. For sure, the players are better players in this moment compared to last season, because we spent more time together.”
