Cole Palmer available to make injury return against Arsenal in major Chelsea boost

Cole Palmer is available to his long-awaited return from injury against Premier League leaders Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as Enzo Maresca welcomed back Chelsea’s “best player”.

Palmer has only made four appearances for the Blues this season and has been sidelined for the past two months due a groin injury. He also suffered a set-back after fracturing his toe in a freak injury at home.

open image in gallery

The 23-year-old missed Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Barcelona on Tuesday but the England international has trained this week, wearing a special boot, and Maresca he is available to start against Arsenal.

Chelsea head into the weekend in second place, six points behind leaders Arsenal, but with the chance to launch themselves into title contention if they defeat their London rivals.

“Everyone is happy, the team-mates are happy, we are all happy and the most important thing is Cole is happy,” Maresca said.

“He is our best player, we are happy he is back, we need to give him time to be 100 per cent fit. He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”

open image in gallery

Chelsea are flying after Tuesday’s thumping win over Barcelona, which saw 18-year-old Estevao shine on the big stage.

Due to Palmer’s injury struggles, the England international and Estevao have only been on the pitch three times this season, when Estevao came off the bench against Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich before Palmer limped off early on Old Trafford.

“They can play together, but [it] depends against which team, it depends on the game plan,” Maresca said. “For sure they are exciting. Fans excited. We also are excited. We need always balance between the two phases.”

open image in gallery

Maresca said it would still be “too early” to mention Chelsea as title contenders, even if they beat Arsenal and trim their lead at the top of the table to three points.

“It’s too early in any case, if we win or don’t win,” Maresca said. “Still end of November, still five, six months to go. It’s more important in February, March, then from there we decide if you can achieve something important."