The final international break of the season has come at a good time for Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, as he prepares for nine crucial games that will define how successful his time at the club has been.
The Italian will also be able to hopefully welcome back a number of players who are currently injured and unable to contribute to the side on the pitch.
One of those is Cole Palmer, who missed the game against Arsenal due to an injury as the Blues slumped to a 1-0 defeat.
Palmer’s scan was all clear, however he is in a race against time to be fit for their next Premier League game against Tottenham.
His current issue has seen him unable to represent his country during the international break, which is the first opportunity former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has to look at his first team squad.
Photo by Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Cole Palmer may not fit in Thomas Tuchel’s England side
The German got off to the perfect start as far as results go, picking up a 2-0 win over Albania in the European Championship qualifier.
Something that was notably different from the new manager’s setup to how England previously played was how Tuchel utilised the attacking players he had at his disposal.
Jude Bellingham was given a free role behind the striker, while the wingers were instructed to stay very wide in attack.
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On Friday it was Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, and even though Tuchel said he needed to see more from whoever played that role, it could be difficult to see Palmer doing.
While Chelsea’s star man did play on the right for the majority of the time Mauricio Pochettino was in charge, this was largely with the assurance that there would be an attacking full-back overlapping so he could come inside.
Taking the central role off of Bellingham looks to be a difficult task too, given the excellent start to his career he has had for the Three Lions.
Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
What has Thomas Tuchel said about Cole Palmer?
After taking the job as England manager, Tuchel was full of praise for Palmer ahead of the prospect of being able to manage him for the first time.
He said: “He’s definitely on form. I think everyone would agree on that, and hopefully he can still grow and keep the level up and then everything will be fine.
“Everyone enjoys watching him. He’s cool, he’s composed, he’s very clinical in finishing and assisting, so very impressive at the moment.”
Palmer will not have the chance to directly show the new boss what he can do until the end of the domestic season, however he will be hoping to enter those fixtures on better form after his nightmare run in front of goal.