Inside Elland Road: Are they still playing for Farke?
Leeds United welcome Chelsea to Elland Road for their next Premier League clash on Wednesday.
Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer has recovered from a string of injuries in time to face Leeds United next week, his manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
Palmer has been out of action for 10 weeks due to a recurring groin problem and not completed 90 minutes since September 17. The 23-year-old’s return was recently delayed after an accident at home saw him suffer a broken toe, but he’s been back in training this past week.
Chelsea host runaway league leaders Arsenal in a huge North London derby this afternoon before heading up to Elland Road on Wednesday evening. And speaking ahead of the former commitment, Maresca confirmed creator-in-chief Palmer is fit to start.
“Yes, Cole is available for both [to play and to start against Arsenal],” Maresca said. “We are looking okay. Dario Essugo also took part in the session this morning, which is good news too.
“Having Cole back is good news and everyone is happy. The fans are happy, his team-mates are happy and the most important thing is that Cole is happy because in the end, players want to play games and make the training sessions every day.”
Palmer had struggled for form before picking up the groin injury that kept him out for almost three months, with one goal and zero assists in three Premier League appearances beforehand. But his return is a huge boost for Chelsea and an ominous sign for any future opponents.
Will Cole Palmer start for Chelsea against Arsenal and Leeds United?
Leeds might take some hope in the fact they welcome the Blues to Elland Road in just three days, with the likelihood being Palmer will be carefully managed over a busy festive period. Daniel Farke will have a keen eye on today’s Chelsea line-up and game to see how many minutes the attacking midfielder gets.
“He can help us a lot,” Maresca added of his returning talisman. “He is probably our best player and we are happy he is back. Now we have to give him time to be 100 per cent fit. He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very good things for this club in the future.”
Read More
There is a chance Chelsea rotate for Wednesday’s trip to Elland Road, given it comes between weekend games against Arsenal and Bournemouth. The London club boast incredible squad depth, however, and are unlikely to be significantly weakened even after wholesale rotation.
Leeds already know they will be without midfielder Sean Longstaff, who Farke confirmed is facing four-to-six weeks out with a calf injury. The former Newcastle United man could miss as many as nine Premier League games over the festive period.
Fellow midfielder Anton Stach could return from a concussion in time for Wednesday, having missed Saturday’s game against Manchester City. The German landed awkwardly when challenging for a high ball with Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez in a 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
Continue Reading