Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed Cole Palmer is fit to face Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend. The playmaker has been sidelined since September due to a recurrence of a groin problem that plagued him earlier in the season. A broken toe threatened to further delay his return, but after training in specially designed boots, Maresca gave him the all-clear.
“He (Palmer) is capable of both (starting and playing),” he said at Friday’s press conference. Palmer could have featured against Burnley or Barcelona last week had it not been for the unfortunate family incident that Maresca revealed earlier this month. He initially ruled out a return to Arsenal, but things have since improved.
Speaking ahead of the game against Burnley, he said: “Unfortunately he had a toe accident at home. But that’s not the point. Certainly he won’t be back next week.”
Asked about Palmer’s condition, Maresca added: “I don’t know. It’s a broken bone. All I know is that he’s going to be out this week and next week.”
Maresca received further positive news with the return of Dario Essugo to training after a long period of absence. Levi Colwill is a long-term injured player, while Romeo Lavia picked up another injury earlier this month, but a return date is yet to be set.
Estevao Willian received treatment for an injury during the Champions League win over Barcelona but is expected to be fit for Sunday’s match.
Arsenal have also been plagued by a number of injuries, but this has eased in recent weeks. Martin Odegaard, Noni Maduke and Gabriel Martinelli are all back, with Victor Gokeres and Kai Havertz also close to returning.
Regarding the latter pair, Arteta commented: “Tomorrow we have another day, so we’ll see what happens. It’s sunny, but not yet. But they’re getting closer and closer.”
Leandro Trossard was injured in the 3-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich, but Arteta has hinted he could play.
“For Leo, we have another test today. We’ll have to see how he’s doing, but it doesn’t seem like a big deal. So there’s still a few hours left and we’ll have to wait and see. There’s a potential chance (he’s available), yes.”
If the Belgian international does not start, former Chelsea winger Maduke is likely to be used from the start.
