COLE PALMER is BACK.
Enzo Maresca confirmed that in his lunchtime press conference ahead of Sunday’s top of the table clash against Arsenal.
The ice-cold Chelsea star has missed almost the entire season for the Blues so far, due to a groin injury and most recently a bizarre stubbed toe mishap.
Maresca though, assured fans that their star man can be involved against the Gunners.
When questioned if Cole Palmer was fit enough to be in contention to play and start, the Chelsea boss bluntly said: “He is available for both.
“There are no other concerns, Dario Essugo took part in the session this morning, so good news for both of them.”
“Everyone is happy, his teammates are happy. The most important thing is that Cole is happy.”
The Stamford Bridge outfit, it must be said, have been coping well without Palmer.
They sit second in the Premier League, six points behind their London rivals, and hammered Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday thanks to some Estevao brilliance.
Even so, news of Palmer’s fitness will be more than welcomed by the squad.
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Without him they have lacked a consistent route to goal, with the ball instead being put in the back of the net by a range of different sources.
Estevao, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have all stepped up for Chelsea when it’s mattered in his absence.
Historically, Enzo Maresca has not rushed players back, or thrown them straight in the deep end after injury.
The nature of Palmer’s groin injury means the Italian boss will likely be cautious about playing him from the start, knowing what a crucial player he is to Chelsea.
The England midfielder, along with the rest of the team, was given two days off to rest after the win over Barcelona, and will return to training today.
With a win on Sunday, the Blues will put the pressure on Arsenal, narrowing the gap to just three points at the top of the table.
But a loss would see the Gunners move at least seven points clear.
