Maresca Admits Error as Palmer Faces Six-Week Absence
Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, addressed the media regarding the injury of Cole Palmer. He confirmed that Palmer is facing a six-week absence from the pitch. The injury situation has raised concerns, but Maresca is optimistic that surgery will not be necessary.
Maresca Expresses Confidence in Recovery
Maresca stated, “We try to protect Cole as much as we can. The medical staff are not magicians, but we hope six weeks are enough.” He emphasized the importance of Palmer returning fully fit and is keen on a step-by-step recovery process. Palmer is already undergoing therapy to aid his recovery.
Impact of Palmer’s Absence
Palmer’s absence is expected to significantly impact Chelsea’s performance in the Premier League. Maresca acknowledged that “to replace Cole is difficult.” He described Palmer as a unique player and one of the best in the Premier League.
- Palmer scored 15 goals in the previous Premier League season.
- He is expected to miss several key fixtures:
- Premier League matches against Sunderland, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley, and Arsenal.
- League Cup tie against Wolves.
- The six-week recovery period also rules him out of Champions League matches against:
- Ajax
- Qarabag
- Barcelona
- Furthermore, he will miss England’s World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
The Chelsea manager remains hopeful about Palmer’s future contributions to the team once he recovers from this injury. The club is focused on his health and aims for a successful return to the squad. Chelsea’s upcoming matches will be closely watched as they navigate the difficult challenge of playing without their star player.
