Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that Cole Palmer’s withdrawal before their 5-1 Premier League victory over West Ham was due to a groin issue sustained during the warm-up.
Palmer Forced Out of Starting XI
Palmer, who was initially named in the lineup at the London Stadium, pulled up during pre-match preparations and was replaced by teenager Estevão Willian. The 22-year-old has been instrumental for the Blues this season, making his absence a major concern for fans and the coaching staff.
As reported by Sport buddy, only 3 players can stop Cole Palmer from winning Ballon d’Or.
Maresca’s Explanation
Speaking after the match, Maresca admitted Palmer had not been fully fit for several days.
“Cole in the last four or five days was not one hundred per cent,” Maresca said. “Today he tried in the warm-up, but he felt something, so we preferred not to take any risks and make it worse. We will see in the next hours if it’s something important or not.”
The Chelsea boss further disclosed that Palmer had also been carrying the problem during the recent clash against Crystal Palace but insisted on playing for the team.
“It’s a groin problem. He was not one hundred percent even for the Palace game, but he made a big effort for the club, the team, and the fans. Tonight he tried again, but it was not very good,” Maresca added.
Chelsea Await Medical Results
The Blues will now anxiously wait for medical assessments to determine the severity of the injury, with upcoming fixtures potentially affected if their star forward is sidelined.
