Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a top-of-the-table Premier League clash
Cole Palmer is fit enough to start for Chelsea on Sunday in their top-of-the-table showdown with Arsenal, after Enzo Maresca confirmed the return of his star man.
The 23-year-old has not played for the Blues since September 20, when he limped off in the defeat away at Manchester United with a groin injury. Palmer was on the verge of returning to full training last week but suffered a freak injury while at home.
The England international fractured the small toe on his left foot after stubbing it against a door, with Chelsea having a specially adapted protective boot made to help provide comfort for Palmer and get him on the grass in Cobham as soon as possible.
After missing the memorable 3-0 victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night, Maresca has confirmed Palmer is now in contention to take on Premier League leaders Arsenal this afternoon as the division’s top two go head-to-head.
When asked if Palmer is ready to feature, or even start, at Stamford Bridge, head coach Maresca replied: “He’s available for both.”
Maresca continued: “Everyone is happy. The teammates are happy. We are all happy and the most important thing is that Cole is happy because at the end, a football player, they want to play games and make sessions every day.
“He is, as you said, probably our best player. We are happy that he is back. Now we need to give him time to be 100% fit. He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very well for this club in the future.”
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke will return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since making the £52million switch to the Emirates Stadium over the summer.
Estevao Willian has essentially taken Madueke’s place in the Chelsea squad, with the Brazilian one of the right-wing options available to Maresca.
Estevao has been nothing short of a revelation since moving to west London, and has perhaps been helped with Madueke leaving and freeing up some space for the 18-year-old.
Maresca, though, is adamant a player with Estevao’s quality would have made space for himself in the end.
“I said when Noni left the club that no one said to Noni you have to leave,” the Chelsea head coach said. “If Noni decides that he wants to leave and the two clubs find an agreement there is not too much I can do.
“Now, if with Estevao [here] it’s better that Noni left or not, I don’t know. Because in case Noni was here but Estevao had the same chances, I don’t know.
“For sure, but players like Estevao create space for themselves. Even if there is competition they are so good they are going to create space for themselves.”
Predicted Chelsea XI : Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro.
