Enzo Maresca is hoping to have Cole Palmer back to face FC Barcelona and Arsenal after the international break, but he’s admitted there are no guarantees.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer has struggled to be involved for the team so far this season, making just four appearances in all competitions, though he does have two goals in those limited minutes.
It’s clear the 23-year-old is a big help to Chelsea when available, but multiple setbacks to a groin injury have kept him out of the side for much of the season so far.
Speaking this week, Enzo Maresca answered a question about Chelsea’s upcoming match against Barcelona on November 25th by admitting he hopes Palmer will be fit for it.
“We hope so, but with Cole we try to plan, we try to schedule, you know, at the beginning. Then we need to review that,” Maresca said. “So in this moment we go day by day with Cole. He’s [still] not taking any session with the team.
“And we have Benoit Badiashile that probably can be available after the international break and that is huge news.
“To be honest, I would like to have Cole here tomorrow. I would like to have Cole early. I said many times that we are a better team with Cole. Unfortunately for us, he’s out, he’s injured, but for sure we want him back very soon.”
If Palmer does return in time to face Barcelona, that would suggest he’ll also be fit for the visit of Arsenal five days later. Gunners supporters will be keeping a watchful eye on the lineup for that Champions League clash.
Palmer has often struggled to be involved against Arsenal in the past, due to illness and injury.
Whilst he’s played six times against both Liverpool and Manchester United and five times against Manchester City (despite having played for them in his early career), he’s only been involved three times against Arsenal, and only twice for Chelsea.
Palmer’s only goal for Chelsea against Arsenal came from a controversially-awarded penalty, so he’ll want to make more of an impact on the game later this month.