Cole Palmer missed first-team training ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League game against Atalanta and was subsequently left out of the squad for the trip to Italy. The Blues will play against the Italian team at New Balance Arena on Tuesday night with the aim of advancing to the knockout stages. The 23-year-old midfielder made his first start for Enzo Maresca’s side since September as Bournemouth held Chelsea to a goalless draw at the weekend.
Palmer was replaced by Joao Pedro just before the end of the 60th minute. But there’s no need to worry; Palmer’s absence is simply part of the team’s return plan after an extended absence. The England international did not travel to Bergamo with the team, but the Blues hope he will be fit to play against Everton on Saturday.
Maresca gave journalists an update on Palmer at Vitality Stadium. The Chelsea manager said: “(He) played 30 minutes the other day and today he played an hour. So it’s important for him to be physically fit now.”
“The call is part of the process at the moment. He can’t play, he can’t play two games in three days in a row, so we’re planning for it and it’s just a measure to protect him,” Maresca added at the press conference before Atalanta.
However, Moises Caicedo was spotted training at Cobham with Enzo Fernandes, Pedro Neto, Estebao Willian and Marc Cucurella. Liam Delap suffered a shoulder injury in the draw and was absent. Maresca added: “Fortunately Liam didn’t have any broken bones so that’s good news.”
The Blues achieved a 3-0 victory over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge and moved into the top eight of the Champions League’s ‘league stage’ at the end of November. Chelsea took the lead within the first 30 minutes when Jules Kounde forced an unfortunate own goal.
Estevao added to the west London side’s advantage with a stunning individual move just after the interval. Delap then steered the ball past Joao Garcia from close range to complete the rout and seal the victory.
“For me personally, this is a big victory, as you said, especially because the opponent team was Barcelona,” Maresca said, reflecting on the monumental victory. “But nothing has changed in terms of what kind of team we are and what we can achieve.
“So tonight’s game is certainly important, but nothing more. It’s over. Now we’ll focus on another difficult game.”
The Chelsea manager continued: “Certainly winning the Club World Cup gives the players the confidence they need. Last year we were playing in the Conference League. Personally, I have said many times that if you want to develop a winning mentality, there is only one way.”
“Winning games. Because otherwise, if you don’t win games, it’s hard to convince the players that we have a winning mentality. But it’s hard when you don’t win.”
“So in any competition, whether it’s the Conference League, this season’s Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, the only way is to win games. That’s the only way to build a winning mentality.”
“And I think last season’s Conference League and Club World Cup helped a lot. And now we’re trying to do the exact same thing. Certainly the players are better players at this point compared to last season because we spent more time together.”
