Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed his confusion over the ongoing groin injury troubling Cole Palmer, emphasizing that it “makes no sense.” As the team prepares for their Premier League clash against Everton, Palmer is expected to make a return after being rested during the recent midweek Champions League defeat to Atalanta.
Palmer has made significant strides in recovering from a previous toe injury sustained last November, but Maresca noted that the forward is experiencing “mixed feelings” following training this week. “It’s the groin,” the Blues boss remarked, expressing hope that the issue will not lead to a season-long predicament. He explained that Palmer’s condition varies from day to day, with some days being better than others. For example, after a match against Leeds, Palmer felt unwell the following day and could only play for half an hour, while after facing Bournemouth, he managed to participate for an hour.
Maresca also clarified that surgery has not been suggested as a necessary step at this point when questioned about Palmer’s condition.
In addition to Palmer, Chelsea is dealing with several other players, including Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia, who are also struggling with match fitness as the team faces a demanding schedule playing every three days. When asked if Palmer has joined this list of players lacking full match readiness, Maresca confirmed, “At the moment, absolutely yes.”
Chelsea fans remain hopeful that Palmer’s situation stabilizes soon, allowing him to contribute significantly to the team’s efforts in the Premier League moving forward.