Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer is fit to start for Chelsea against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday following a long-term injury layoff.
Cole Palmer Fit To Start For Chelsea vs Arsenal
Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer has been cleared to start against Arsenal this weekend.
The attacking midfielder has been out of action since September due to a recurring groin issue.
He was due to return earlier this month but suffered a fractured toe after stubbing it against a door last week, forcing him to miss his side’s victories over Burnley and Barcelona.
Marc Cucurella hinted that Palmer suffered the toe injury due to a FIFA rage.
But now, as we approach the busy festive period, Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Palmer is available to make his long-awaited return from injury against the Gunners on Sunday evening.
“Yes, Cole is available for both [to play and to start],” he said in his pre-match press conference.
“Having Cole back is good news and everyone is happy. The fans are happy, his team-mates are happy and the most important thing is that Cole is happy, because in the end, players want to play games and make the training sessions every day.
“He can help us a lot. He is probably our best player and we are happy he is back. Now we have to give him time to be 100 per cent fit. He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very good things for this club in the future.”
Despite being declared fit, question marks remain over whether he will actually start or not.
Maresca Excited By Potential Palmer and Estevao Link-Up
Not only did Maresca confirm Palmer’s availability to make his return, but he also revealed his excitement at the England international’s prospective link-up with Brazilian starlet Estevao.
Maresca said: “Yes, they can play together. It depends against which team and the game plan, but for sure the fans are excited to watch both together.
“We are also excited, thinking at the end we always need balance between the two phases [on the ball and off the ball].”
Estevao has shone when given the opportunity this term and logged his best performance yet midweek, netting Chelsea’s second in the 3-0 Champions League win over Barcelona.
In what is already turning out to be an impressive debut campaign in Europe since joining from Palmeiras in the summer, the 18-year-old has tallied five goals and an assist thus far.
His most impressive feat alongside scoring against Barca came in early October, as he netted a 95th-minute winner against reigning champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
He has also starred for Brazil, for whom he has five goals in just 11 caps.
As Maresca has stated, the possibility of Estevao playing alongside a fully fit Palmer is an incredibly exciting prospect, not only for Chelsea fans but for neutrals as well.
