Palmer remains outplaceholder image
Palmer remains out | AFP via Getty Images
A look at how the latest Chelsea injury news may have impacted their top four chances.
Chelsea have enjoyed a solid start to the season, going into the international break on the back of a huge win over Liverpool. Estevao Willian netted in stoppage time to take down the champions at Stamford Bridge,
That win put Chelsea in seventh place, three points off the top four, which currently contains Tottenham in third and AFC Bournemouth in fourth. Manchester City and Crystal Palace are both between Chelsea and the top four.
Cole Palmer injury setback
The biggest issue Chelsea have is the absence of Cole Palmer, who has only played three Premier League games so far this season. Palmer hasn’t played since September 20 when his groin injury resurfaced.
Enzo Maresca then made it clear that Chelsea were deciding to rest Palmer to make sure he gets the chance to properly recover. It was hoped that Palmer would recover after the international break, which was the plan, but The Athletic are now reporting that there is bad news on that front.
They report that Chelsea’s latest assessments have concluded that Palmer will now be out until at least November, and there is no exact date for his return at this point. That’s a huge blow for Chelsea, who could do with Palmer’s creativity and goal-scoring as they search for consistency.
Chelsea will be expecting to at least finish in the top four this season, and they will have been hoping to take another step forward from last season, although the Champions League will also provide an opportunity on that front.
Premier League top four odds
Here we take a look at the latest Premier League top four odds after the latest Palmer news.
Arsenal - 1/20
Liverpool - 1/7
Man City - 1/5
Chelsea - 11/10
Tottenham - 10/3
Newcastle - 3/1
Man Utd - 5/1
Bournemouth - 8/1
Crystal Palace - 17/2
Brighton - 11/1
Aston Villa - 18/1
Everton - 28/1
Fulham - 80/1
What Maresca said about Chelsea’s aims
When it comes to Chelsea’s objectives for the season, Maresca said heading into the new campaign: “For sure we are going to face that period better than last season. I said when we started last season we were very far from the ones competing. Now we are closer, and the next step is to be even closer and try to compete with them, but for sure we are better than last season. I’m very excited for this new season.”
He added: “It’s better when players come from the Premier League and not abroad because they know exactly the Premier League already. It’s a big help for sure. I’m really excited for the new signings, and for the ones that were here last season. It will be a very long season again, different competitions, Premier League, Champions League, the domestic cups, but it will be exciting.”
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