Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca Gives Injury Update On Cole Palmer

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has eased concerns that Cole Palmer may need surgery after the forward hobbled out of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Cole Palmer, who has already been managing a groin problem this season, lasted just 21 minutes before signalling that he could not continue. The setback comes at a time when Chelsea are still struggling to find consistency in the Premier League.

Speaking after the match, Maresca made it clear there has been no discussion of an operation.

“The medical staff didn’t mention to me about surgery. I don’t know if in the next days or the next weeks, but I don’t think so, to be honest,” the Italian said.

The Chelsea boss praised Palmer for attempting to play despite not being fully fit.

“He made a huge effort on Saturday to try to play the game. He did the test, and he was OK, but not 100 per cent. But he wanted to be there to help his teammates and to be there in that kind of game,” the coach said.

“Unfortunately, it was painful, so we decided to change it. And it’s more day-by-day, week-by-week, game-by-game to see how it is and then decide what we do.”

Cole Palmer is expected to sit out Tuesday’s League Cup third-round tie against Lincoln City, with Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile also unavailable. The fixture could see several academy players promoted into the matchday squad, although Maresca admitted the scenario makes him uneasy.

“These are the games that worry me most, because you can slip up very easily,” he explained. “Football is full of these kinds of games, and I am very worried about that.”

Source: Naijanews