Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has delivered great news for Blues fans. Cole Palmer is fit and ready to start. The team faces Arsenal in a high-stakes Premier League clash this weekend.
This confirmation is a massive boost for the west London side. The summit meeting takes place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Palmer has been sidelined for over two months. He has not played since September 20. Frustrating injuries, including a groin issue and a fractured toe, kept him out of action.
“Everyone is Happy”
Maresca spoke at his pre-match press conference on Friday. He confirmed the England forward is available for the starting lineup.
“Everyone is happy, his teammates are happy, we are all happy,” the Italian manager stated. “The most important thing is that Cole is happy.”
Palmer’s return could be the catalyst Chelsea needs. Currently, the Blues sit second in the Premier League. They trail leaders Arsenal by six points.
A victory on Sunday would cut that deficit in half. Furthermore, it would send a strong statement regarding their title ambitions.
Managing Expectations
Despite the excitement, Maresca urged patience. He wants fans to be realistic about the forward’s match sharpness.
Palmer was Chelsea’s standout performer last season. He netted 15 goals to finish as the club’s top scorer. However, his current campaign has been disrupted. He has only four appearances and two goals across all competitions.
“He is probably our best player,” Maresca admitted. “We are happy that he is back. Now we need to give him time to be 100 percent fit.”
The manager expressed unwavering confidence in the 22-year-old. He believes Palmer will bounce back quickly.
“He has done fantastically in the past,” Maresca added.
With their talisman back, Chelsea heads into Sunday’s London derby with renewed belief. They are looking to derail Arsenal’s title charge.
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