Enzo Maresca is taking his pre match press conference before Chelsea take on Arsenal this weekend, and it’s opened with some bombshell injury news.
Asked if star man Cole Palmer would be fit after two months out, the manager replied “he is available to start and to play.”
Cole Palmer rumours proved true as midfielder revealed as ready for action
Cole Palmer trains in the rain.
Cole Palmer trains in the rain.
There had been whispers earlier this morning that the attacking midfielder would actually make a return for this game, and they’ve been proved right. After resting a groin injury he then broke his toe, and was initially ruled out for this game when Maresca took his presser a week ago.
But that problem always sounded suspicious, and it seems that the special protective boot that Palmer has had made will permit him to play against the Gunners.
We really don’t think he’ll start – he’s got no match fitness and only has a few days training under his belt. But as a menacing presence on the bench he’s in an ideal spot. Arsenal now have a lot more to think about when preparing for this game.
We just hope that the time off has helped with Palmer’s chronic groin problem which has frustrated him for a while. A full recovery from that is more important than any one game.
There was also the bonus good news that Dario Essugo had also taken part in the session today, his first return to training since his preseason injury and surgery.
In other news…
Chelsea’s team for Sunday’s game still isn’t clear, and Sky also pointed out that Enzo Maresca’s endless changes in defence making predicting his team very difficult.
Chelsea’s star of the win over Barcelona on Tuesday night was Marc Cucurella, who excelled against his old team.
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