Chelsea face local rivals Fulham on Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge. However, the Blues have confirmed that they will be without three first-team players, including Cole Palmer.
The Blues host Fulham this weekend in the Premier League for their final match before the first international break of the season.
If Enzo Maresca’s side win tomorrow’s early kick-off, they will temporarily climb to the top of the league table. It would consolidate a strong start to the campaign for Chelsea if they earn three points in the West London derby.
The biggest worry at Chelsea has been around the fitness of Cole Palmer.
He was unable to play in last week’s 5-1 away win at West Ham because of a problem in his groin. Thankfully, the results of Palmer’s injury scan showed this week the problem is not as bad as first thought.
Unfortunately, the league showdown with Fulham will come too soon, plus he’s been left out of England’s squad by Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming internationals.
Cole Palmer watches from the bench West Ham against Chelsea in the Premier League after picking up an injury in the warm-up.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea confirm trio will miss Fulham fixture
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Blues head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile won’t play against Fulham this weekend due to injury.
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“Cole is out. Also, Benoit is out, and Romeo is out. The rest are all okay,” Maresca said, as quoted by Chelsea’s official website.
“Cole we need to see day by day, and the other two I don’t think are going to be back after the international break. But they are going to be closer.”
Romeo Lavia before Chelsea against Everton in the Premier League.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Lavia, 21, and Badiashile, 24, are still yet to play this season as they recover from their respective injuries. It’s frustrating to hear that they both may need even more time after the international break, too.
Maresca previously claimed Lavia makes Chelsea better when he’s on the football pitch, but the reality is that the central midfielder can’t keep himself fit.
As for towering centre-back Badiashile, his return can’t come soon enough because he’s the only other left-footed centre-back to cover Levi Colwill, who’s out for the long-term with an ACL injury.
Benoit Badiashile playing for Chelsea against Djurgarden in the Conference League.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Joao Pedro can shine again as the No.10
Even though Palmer’s absence against Fulham is an obvious blow, Joao Pedro can step up again in his absence.
Last week, summer signing Pedro impressed yet again for Chelsea, proving he can drop deeper and impact the match from a No.10 role. It feels like a no-brainer to let him do the same again against Fulham.
Chelsea supporters raved about new hero Pedro after the West Ham victory. If he can deliver a match-winning performance against rivals Fulham, his reputation will only increase even higher.