Cole Palmer will make his European bow for Chelsea when they take on FC Copenhagen in a UEFA Europa Conference League tie at Parken on Thursday.
Chelsea will aim to take a step closer to the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals when they lock horns with FC Copenhagen in the first leg of the round of 16 at Parken on Thursday evening. Enzo Maresca has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Benoit Badiashile (thigh) and Trevoh Chalobah (lower back) have recovered from their issues to be fit and available to take on FC Copenhagen. The duo is in the travelling squad for Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League tie, with Cole Palmer also in the group.
However, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Omari Kellyman, Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, and Noni Madueke remain on the sidelines, while Mykhailo Mudryk continues serving his suspension. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Maresca confirmed Chalobah and Badiashile’s availability.
The Chelsea manager said, “They are both ready. Trev, fortunately for us, was not something serious, so he is ok. Benoit is back and has been training with us in the last ten days, maybe even more. Wes is not in the squad but is back and Romeo started to train with us in the last two days. So slowly, slowly we have all the players back which is important for the final rush of the season.”
“We said a few times that, unfortunately, our bad moment started with the amount of injuries. Now, some of them are back and some of them are in the process of coming back. That is a huge boost for me but also for the players. That is because you see players who were there for the first six or seven months of the season – when we were there [near the top of the Premier League table]. So it is important for the final rush of the season.”
Meanwhile, Maresca discussed Palmer’s belated inclusion in the UEFA Europa Conference League squad. The Chelsea boss said, “It was planned at the beginning of the season. For the first six months, we tried to give him more rest. It was the same for Wes (Fofana) and Romeo (Lavia). Unfortunately, the other two have had injuries, but the plan was exactly this plan.”
Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Pedro Neto leading the line for the away side against FC Copenhagen. Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku will continue on the flanks, while Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez will continue in the double pivot.
The backline should not see any changes, with Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella retaining their spots. Finally, Filip Jorgensen will get the nod over Robert Sanchez between the sticks.
FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea: Preview and Prediction.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku; Neto