November 21st 2024.
Last week, it was announced that Cole Palmer would not be participating in international duty with England. However, Enzo Maresca has now stated that Palmer is expected to be fit for Chelsea's upcoming Premier League match against Leicester City on Saturday. This is great news for the team, as Palmer had been a doubt for their previous match against Arsenal due to a knee injury he sustained in their draw with Manchester United on November 3.
Initially, Palmer had reported for international duty with England during the break, but both he and Levi Colwill eventually withdrew from the squad under the guidance of Lee Carsley. As for Chelsea's current injury situation, Reece James will unfortunately not be available for the match against Leicester, as he has picked up a small injury and the team does not want to take any risks with him. Maresca expressed his hope that both Palmer and Colwill will be able to play, though there are still some doubts surrounding their fitness.
During the break, Colwill also pulled out of England's squad for their final two Nations League games. When asked about the overall status of the team, Maresca explained that some players have improved since returning from international duty, while others are still being assessed. However, he reassured that they are all in a better condition than before.
As for James' injury, Maresca revealed that it is a hamstring issue and they do not want to risk making it worse by playing him this weekend. He also acknowledged that it can be frustrating for the player, but it is important for him to take care of his body and try to prevent injuries as much as possible.
Maresca was also asked about potential changes in the midfield, as Romeo Lavia is a doubt for the match and both Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have been away on international duty in South America. He mentioned that Renato Viega has played some matches, but also had a full 180 minutes with the Portuguese team. In the cup, Cesare Casedei performed well, but also played for the Italy Under-21 team. Maresca emphasized the importance of finding a balance and managing the players' physical and mental well-being, as they are all human beings and playing multiple games in a short period of time can take a toll on anyone.
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