Chelsea have received an injury boost ahead of the London Derby in the form of Cole Palmer. Chelsea are set to host the Premier League leaders, Arsenal, at Stamford Bridge. Palmer has finally recovered from his groin issue and a fractured toe, and he is now available for selection, as confirmed by Enzo Maresca. His return will positively impact the creative area of the Bluesโ attack against their North London rivals.
Palmer Returns to the Chelsea Squad
Cole Palmer has had a season surrounded by fitness concerns. Palmer has been absent from the Chelsea squad for quite some time now, stretching back to September. Initially, a groin issue caused him to sit out for weeks. As soon as he came close to a comeback, another injury held him back. Palmer fractured his toe in an accident at home, causing further delay to his return. The player has missed 13 games across all competitions due to his fitness issues.
The confirmation of Palmerโs comeback came from Chelseaโs manager, Enzo Maresca. The Italian confirmed that the player is available to both play and start against Arsenal. His presence shifts the dynamics of the game, providing Chelsea with creativity that could force Arsenal to reconsider their preparation. Despite his lack of gametime, Palmer is someone who can boost the game with his availability.
Maresca Hails Palmer as Chelseaโs Best Player
Maresca did not hesitate while discussing the significance of Palmerโs return. The manager called Palmer โprobably our [Chelsea’s] best player.โ He beamed during the press conference and talked about how the player has done fantastically in the past. He further expressed how the club does not doubt that he would continue to put up those performances in the future. This praise highlights his importance in the squad, which goes beyond the statistics.ย
However, the teamโs recent results, including the massive victory against Barcelona without him, proved that Chelsea are no longer reliant on a sole player. Palmerโs return will provide the squad with further depth and quality. While players like Joao Pedro and Estevao have stepped up for the Blues recently, Palmer brings a unique combination of composure and experience with himself. His presence affects the club in multiple positive ways.
Essugo Returns While Others Remain Sidelined
While Palmerโs return has grabbed all the spotlight, the injury update also included positive news about another young prospect. Dario Essugo has returned to training for the first time after undergoing surgery on his thigh in September. Maresca confirmed the 20-year-oldโs involvement in the training squad. He mentioned that โhe [Essugo] took part in the session this morning.โ
Essugo joined the club in June, but heโs yet to make a substantial appearance for the club. His return to the first-team training is a positive sign of recovery. He offers the club another midfield option as the schedule is bound to get relentless soon.ย
However, the club is still struggling with other long-term injuries. Romeo Lavia is still dealing with a thigh issue. Meanwhile, Levi Colwill is recovering from his ligament injury. Their absence continues to impact the club in defensive areas, making Palmerโs return even more crucial for Chelsea.
Authorโs Insight
The return of Palmer is the most significant update for the Chelsea attack. Even though Maresca has found some squad depth during his absence, Palmer has proven himself as the difference maker time and time again. His availability will help gain Chelsea another talent in the squad, along with the newfound talents such as Estevao and Pedro.ย
