Enzo Maresca gives Chelsea injury update ahead of Fulham clash in Premier League Gameweek 3; Cole Palmer & more

The Blues will host the Cottagers in their next game.

Cole Palmer will not play in Chelsea’s Saturday Premier League match against Fulham, according to the club’s head coach, Enzo Maresca.

Palmer has made 98 appearances in all competitions in his two years at Stamford Bridge, spending very little time outside of the starting lineup.

Consequently, the England international was taken out of the starting lineup before Chelsea easily won 5-1 against West Ham in East London.

Palmer did not participate in first-team training at the halfway point of this week, suggesting that he would find it difficult to make it back into the squad for the last match before the September international break.

Maresca revealed that the 23-year-old would not play in the West London derby during a press conference on Friday.

Enzo Maresca provides Chelsea injury update ahead of Fulham clash

Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile will also be sitting out the match at Stamford Bridge, the Blues coach added.

“Cole, we need to see day by day. The other two, I don’t think that they are going to be back after the international break, but they are going to be more close”

He added: “I’m always worried, but not just about them. With Romeo and Benoit, because it is long time they are out, it is normal that they need time, they need sessions.

“It is the same that we are doing with Wes, who is back. Hopefully we can give him more minutes, and slowly get the right condition.”

Palmer has played 110 matches for club and country in just over two years, so he could use a break, even though Maresca would have preferred to have him available for selection.

Chelsea demonstrated against West Ham that they are capable of scoring goals without their best player. The Fulham match will be another chance to demonstrate that they are not dependent on a single player.

In order to handle some of his players’ workload before the UEFA Champions League begins next month, Maresca made it clear during the press conference that he was excited to have an international break already planned.

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