_Federico_Caputo_Alamy.jpg?#)
Enzo Maresca provides Cole Palmer update after Chelsea star misses Arsenal defeat
A huge blow for Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca confirmed that Cole Palmer will undergo a scan after missing Chelsea’s Premier League defeat to Arsenal with a muscle injury.
Palmer has endured a frustrating period following another impressive start to the season, failing to score in his last ten appearances in all competitions.
And the 22-year-old was unable to put an end to that poor form on Sunday after being ruled out with an injury sustained in training late last week.
Missing their talisman, Chelsea fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates, with Mikel Merino’s first-half header proving the difference in a game devoid of attackng quality.
Palmer was set to go away on international duty next week having been called up to Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
However, Maresca hinted that the midfielder may now be unavailable after his latest knock.
‘I don’t think so (that Palmer will be available for England) to be honest because his injury was from yesterday’s (Saturday’s) session,’ the Italian said post-match.
‘It’s a muscular problem. He needs a scan and it’s planned for Monday.’
Asked if a break could be beneficial for Palmer, Maresca added: ‘We don’t wish players injured but in Cole’s case, in this moment, it will give him some rest physically and mentally. It could be good.’
Maresca, however, rejected the notion that it was Palmer’s absence that cost his team on Sunday and pointed to several other injuries within their attacking line that have also inhibited their creativity in the final third.
‘No, to be honest, I didn’t have this feeling because probably if Noni [Madueke] was there, or Nico [Jackson] was there, then probably the game is different.
‘It’s not just about one player. When I say we cannot rely on Cole, it’s correct to say because you cannot rely on one player.
‘It’s about the team and don’t give too much pressure on Cole.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
