Cole Palmer is ready to start against Arsenal on Sunday – over two months since his last appearance.
Enzo Maresca today announced a surprise update on Palmer, 23, who he had previously ruled out of facing Barcelona or Arsenal with a broken toe – coming after an absence with a chronic groin injury.
‘He is available for both [to start and to play],’ Maresca said. ‘There are no other concerns, Dario Essugo took part in the session this morning, so good news for both of them.’
Palmer’s last game for Chelsea came on September 20 when he lasted just 21 minutes of a defeat away at Manchester United.
Chelsea have won 10 of the 13 matches he has missed but defeats by Brighton and Sunderland leave them trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by six points coming into this weekend’s top-of-the-table meeting.
And Maresca hopes Palmer’s return from injury will provide a timely boost ahead of a testing run of fixtures heading into the festive period.
‘Everyone is happy. The team-mates are happy, we are happy and the most important thing is Cole is happy,’ Chelsea’s manager said. ‘Players want to be fit and make sessions every day.
‘He can give us a lot, he is our best player. We are happy that he is back, and now we need to give him time to be 100 per cent fit. He has been fantastic in the past, and no doubt he will do very well for this club in the future.’
Estevao has emerged as Chelsea’s new star – capped this week by his brilliant goal against Barcelona. And Marecsa is priming himself to pair the young Brazilian with his talismanic playmaker at last.
‘They can play together,’ he said. ‘It depends. It depends on the game plan, but for sure they are excited, the fans are excited.’
