Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has shared an update on talismanic star Cole Palmer ahead of their Premier League return against Brentford.
The west Londoners were dealt multiple injury blows in the last week, with news that Liam Delap will be out until November after suffering a hamstring injury in Chelsea's derby win over Fulham.
Chelsea's Liam Delap reacts after sustaining an injury
Chelsea's Liam Delap reacts after sustaining an injury
Whilst the summer signing didn't require surgery and will immediately begin rehab on the problem, Delap is expected to miss some big games in the run-up to winter — including a Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, their face-off against Liverpool and Chelsea's trip to Tottenham.
Games Liam Delap is expected to miss
Brentford (H) - Premier League
Bayern Munich (A) - Champions League
Man United (A) - Premier League
Lincoln City (A) - EFL Cup
Brighton (H) - Premier League
Benfica (H) - Champions League
Liverpool (H) - Premier League
Nottingham Forest (A) - Premier League
Ajax (H) - Champions League
Sunderland (H) - Premier League
Tottenham (A) - Premier League
Qarabag (H) - Champions League|
Alongside Delap, fellow summer arrival Dario Essugo has undergone surgery on a thigh problem he sustained during the international break with Portugal's Under-21s, leaving Maresca one-man lighter in midfield.
The 20-year-old is now set to wait for his Premier League debut after making three appearances at the Club World Cup, joining Delap on the treatment table for an extensive period, and supporters have been very keen to find out the condition of star man Palmer.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer
Chelsea's Cole Palmer
The England international was left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest Three Lions squad for their wins over Andorra and Serbia, with Palmer nursing a groin problem since Chelsea's 5-1 win away to West Ham.
The 23-year-old injured his groin in the warm-up and was subsequently replaced in the line-up by Brazilian teenager Estevao, missing their rampant London Stadium win and their victory over Fulham.
Reliable sources indicate that Maresca has merely been cautious with Palmer, and Telegraph journalist Matt Law suggested this week that the ex-Man City sensation could return against Brentford on Saturday.
“I was told not too long ago not to be too worried about Cole," said Law on the London is Blue podcast.
"Cole is very much a management issue; being careful and sensible with him. I’d hope that he’s back after the international break & there’s nothing to worry about there.”
Now, Maresca has provided an update in his latest press conference ahead of Brentford.
Enzo Maresca provides Cole Palmer injury update ahead of Chelsea vs Brentford
Speaking to the media, Chelsea's boss says that Palmer is touch-and-go for Brentford, with the forward subject to a late training session this afternoon which will determine whether he is ready for their trip to the G-tech Community Stadium.
BlueCo's best signing since the 2022 takeover has been worth every penny of the £42.5 million they paid City for Palmer on summer deadline day in 2023.
Palmer is an absolutely vital figurehead, racking up 43 goals and 29 assists in nearly 100 appearances, and there is even a belief that Chelsea can be too reliant on him at times.
Last season, Palmer was yet again their chief creator, finishing the campaign with more shots at goal and key passes per 90 on average than any other Chelsea player in the Premier League (WhoScored).
If not against Brentford, Palmer doesn't sound too far away from full fitness, and Maresca will be hoping he can at least be fit for their opening Champions League game against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.