Chelsea are taking their open training session ahead of their game against Atalanta tomorrow night in the Champions League, and as always there were a few things to note in the session.
Cole Palmer wasn’t present, and while that panicked a few people with the idea that his return to action on Saturday might have re-aggravated his chronic groin issue, we’re assured that’s not the case. He’s not training today and won’t be travelling to Italy later either as part of his slow and managed return to action.
He can take it easy and work his way up to speed through the week, meaning he will be ready and hopefully fresh to take on Everton in the Premier League this weekend.
Chelsea staying smart with returning Palmer after problems
Cole Palmer speaks to a referee.
Cole Palmer speaks to a referee. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The Evening Standard “understands that such an absence was pre-planned and part of his tailored return to full fitness, rather than any new injury setback.”
Good news, then. This period is so hectic that it’s vital our resources are managed well, and right now we’d much rather have a full power Palmer once a week than a tired and injured version twice. He looked very rusty against Bournemouth at the weekend, and we probably can’t expect him back to his best for a while.
In other news…
One player who will have been training extra hard today is Marc Guiu – with Liam Delap now set to miss a couple of months with an injury, Guiu is back in the frame for more starts and more minutes. Let’s hope he can turn that into more goals.
Moises Caicedo has been brilliant for Chelsea this season and we will need him tonight. His red card against Arsenal cost his team and cost his average rating for the season on stats sites – another Blue has now overtaken him as top rated on the season.
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Cole Palmer in action against Bournemouth.
Cole Palmer in action against Bournemouth.
Cole Palmer struggles against Bournemouth.