Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer is nearing fitness and could be available to face Arsenal on Sunday, according to head coach Enzo Maresca.
The 22-year-old was a spectator for the record 8-0 Conference League win over FC Noah on Thursday and was suffering no visible effect of the knee injury picked up against Manchester United at the weekend.
“He’s getting better,” Maresca said. “Just because he can walk and have dinner it doesn’t mean he is completely fit but we still have two days to prepare for the game.
“Hopefully we can have him for the session at least on Saturday and then we’ll take a decision.”
Maresca has said he does not believe his team are ready to challenge Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool after the trio fought a three-way tussle for the title last campaign, but having lost narrowly at Anfield last month in a game they largely controlled there are sure signs of progress.
Jackson's goal against Newcastle is October's @PremierLeague Goal of the Month! 👌 pic.twitter.com/7eqYHcNCxE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2024
“Since we started I’ve said the same,” said Maresca. “I analyse the results but first of all I analyse the performance. Do you think we deserved to lose against Liverpool? Me neither, but that’s football.
“Hopefully we can win on Sunday, win that kind of game, but in the Premier League it’s difficult to win against any team. If I could decide, I would like to win against Arsenal on Sunday, but also Liverpool away the performance was very good and we didn’t deserve to lose.
“The good thing is that we are there. You cannot see a big difference (between the teams) when we play these kinds of games and this is the most important thing.
“I don’t know if it will be Sunday or the next game, but for sure we are going to win these kinds of games, no doubt.”
Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku starred in the European win on Thursday night but are likely to be back on the bench as Maresca uses all of his versatile squad.
