Chelsea hotshot Cole Palmer will not feature in Saturday evening’s Premier League contest with Tottenham Hotspur. However, the midfielder, who is facing from an ongoing groin problem, has invited supporters to engage in a little ribbing ahead of the London derby with a playful Instagram message.
Cole Palmer’s playful reminder before derby
Hours before the game kicked off at 11:00 pm at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Palmer reposted a highlight reel of Chelsea’s comeback 4-3 win against Spurs in the previous season. The video clip showcased his memorable Panenka penalty and included a crying with laughter emoji — a cheeky dig that sent fans into a frenzy.
The 23-year-old has had a stop-start campaign since his return in September due to aggravating the groin issue just a week into his return. While he’ll miss the crunch game, Palmer’s post served to remind Spurs fans of last year’s heartbreak while keeping the derby banter alive.
Maresca’s warning and team concerns
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca conceded that taking on Tottenham will be “hard” and lauded the teamwork’s resurge under pressure. At a press conference on Friday, he remarked, “They ended last season by winning the Europa League.” “Resumed exceptionally, and since it is a derby, it will be a tough challenge.”
The Blues will also be absent of Liam Delap, who’s been given a red card in the Carabao Cup match against Wolves. Maresca eventually showed his clear remarks after the match on a striker. He explained that all he meant was Delap was “too intent on fighting with defenders,” rather than criticizing his temperament.
Author’s opinion
Palmer’s teasing post is classic pre-derby energy—harmless fun that builds excitement. Yet with both Cole Palmer and Delap missing, Chelsea must prove their bite on the field matches their online banter. For Maresca, the “difficult” message might not just describe the match—it could define Chelsea’s resilience.
As featured on Chelseanews.com