Exclusive: What’s Really Going on with Cole Palmer’s Fitness Issues?It has been quite an awkward start to the season for Chelsea. It started with dropping points against the likes of Crystal Palac...
Exclusive: What’s Really Going on with Cole Palmer’s Fitness Issues?
It has been quite an awkward start to the season for Chelsea. It started with dropping points against the likes of Crystal Palace, Brentford, Manchester United and Brighton, with a defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League too.
But now, Maresca faces another issue. Cole Palmer’s fitness has become a worry, with the midfielder only completing two full 90 minutes so far this season.
Despite his lack of minutes, Palmer has still shown his worth by scoring two goals this season, including one away at Bayern Munich.
However, he is now set to miss Saturday’s crucial clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Injury expert Ben Dinnery spoke exclusively to EPL Index and shared his insight on Palmer’s fitness issues…
What’s wrong with Palmer?
When asked about the details of Palmer’s fitness, Dinnery said: “It’s a groin related problem. Just the dynamic nature of his style of play with those quick changes of direction, you see players like that managing groin injuries.”
“We’ve heard Enzo Maresca say that they’re going to leave him until after the international break, so they’re just managing the workload.”
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Dinnery also suggested that Chelsea’s participation in the Club World Cup could’ve played a big part in not just Palmer’s lack of fitness, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Liam Delap all sidelined too.
“Chelsea were obviously involved in the Club World Cup, so they had very little of a pre-season,” continued Dinnery, “So this is his opportunity to just step back from the situation and rest for a few weeks.”
“Hopefully, that conservative approach will help him feel the benefit and he can return in mid-to-late October.”
A return in late October could see Palmer return for Sunderland’s visit to Stamford Bridge on 25th October, four days before Chelsea’s Carabao Cup round of 16 clash with Wolves.
Palmer would also be back for Chelsea’s busy November schedule, where they will play six games, including clashes with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Arsenal.
As it stands, Chelsea sit 8th in the Premier League table and seven points off the leaders Liverpool. The sooner Palmer can return to full fitness, the sooner Maresca’s side can start moving back in the right direction.
Category: General Sports
