In what was an eventful Europa Conference League match for Chelsea, Enzo Maresca provided an update on the injury concerns surrounding Cole Palmer, who appeared to be in discomfort as he left the pitch after the game against Servette.
Palmer, who was initially listed as a substitute for Thursday’s match, entered the pitch at half-time following a lackluster first-half performance from Chelsea. Christopher Nkunku calmed Chelsea fans’ nerves by scoring a penalty in the 50th minute, before Enzo Fernandez assisted Noni Madueke for the winning goal.
After 58 minutes, Palmer was one of three substitutions made, replacing Marc Guiu. As he made his way off the pitch, the England international was seen clutching his hamstring, sparking concerns about his injury.
However, Maresca reassured fans that Palmer’s injury was not serious, stating in a post-match conference, “Cole felt something, but he looks fine. They already checked him. He looks fine, he looks okay. So hopefully there is not any problem and he can be available for Sunday’s game.”
Palmer had an impressive season for Chelsea last year, scoring 27 goals and winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Maresca praised his star attacker and expressed confidence in his availability for the upcoming match at Molineux Stadium.
Despite the win, Chelsea faced criticism from home fans at Stamford Bridge, with boos heard at various points during the match. When asked about the fan reaction, Maresca highlighted the team’s focus on learning how to manage games effectively.
“The intention to keep the ball is the correct one – especially when you are 2-0 up. The intention is good, but probably where is not good,” said Maresca, addressing the criticism from supporters. The Chelsea boss remains optimistic about his team’s progress as they continue to strive for success in the tournament.
