Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca Provides Updates on Cole Palmer’s Injury Status

omidbasir- Following the fracture of his toe on his preferred left foot last Wednesday, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca addressed the situation in a recent press conference.

Maresca stated, “He is probably not available for Saturday, Barcelona, or Arsenal for sure. Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It is nothing serious, but he won’t return in the next week. I often wake up at night and accidentally hit my head or legs, so such accidents can happen.”

As Chelsea prepares for their Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday, the former Leicester City manager offered a more optimistic update regarding Palmer’s condition.

“Yes, Cole is currently wearing a protective boot. We don’t have a specific timeline for his return, but it will be soon. He is already on the pitch and touching the ball, and his feelings are positive,” Maresca noted. “At this moment, our primary focus is on tomorrow’s game against Barcelona, and then we will shift our attention to Arsenal. I do not believe he will be available for these two matches, but he is making good progress.”

While many sympathize with Palmer’s unfortunate injury, Chelsea’s left-back Marc Cucurella suggested that this mishap was somewhat inevitable.

“To be fair, I find it hard to believe. These occurrences can happen from time to time; I’ve faced similar situations, but I have learned to be resilient, so I don’t let them affect me. It’s a significant setback for our team since he was getting closer to training with us again, but this is an aspect of life and the lives of footballers. We have personal lives, and issues like this arise. I hope he can recover swiftly,” Cucurella commented.

When asked about the circumstances surrounding the injury, Cucurella humorously responded, “I’m not sure what happened. He was running around because I think he lost a FIFA game or something like that!”

This year has proven to be challenging for Palmer, who, after a strong debut season at Chelsea following his move from Manchester City, has faced various injuries and a goal drought. Despite a prolific start at Stamford Bridge, his fortunes have changed this season, with a persistent groin issue limiting him to just four appearances in all competitions.

Earlier in September, Maresca emphasized the need to carefully manage Palmer’s condition: “We must protect Cole, without a doubt. Not only him, in my view, because of the demands of the Club World Cup and the unceasing schedule. We need to manage and safeguard several players. We will consult with the medical staff to determine the best approach for Cole. It’s important to note that his injury does not follow a straightforward trajectory; recovery can vary. Sometimes he may feel better, and other times worse. Thus, we need to approach it on a daily basis.”

Despite only amassing two goals in just over 230 minutes of play, Palmer’s presence could significantly enhance Chelsea’s attacking options. Fans are hopeful for his prompt return to action.

The FIFA Club World Cup champions experienced a minor setback earlier this season but have bounced back with three consecutive wins, positioning themselves second in the Premier League. This week is crucial, as they face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and host London rivals Arsenal on Sunday. Securing victories in both matches could greatly boost the team’s confidence; conversely, unfavorable outcomes could lead to a more challenging outlook.