Chelsea are reportedly expected to keep monitoring Cole Palmer’s groin injury this week as the Blues talisman awaits confirmation on whether he will be sidelined for a while.
Palmer was listed in the starting lineup in Friday night’s 5-1 victory over West Ham. However, he pulled up during the pregame warm-up and ended up not playing the game.
Minutes before kickoff, the midfielder was seen clutching his groin. He was swiftly led to the changing room by a Chelsea backroom staff.
Palmer watched from the bench as teenage sensation William Estevao was called up in his place, earning him his first start, and went on to record an assist.
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What Did Maresca Say About Palmer’s Withdrawal?
Prior to the match, Enzo Maresca stated that Palmer’s withdrawal was a “precautionary” step.
However, he later disclosed that Palmer had been dealing with the injury since the start of the season and had overcome it during the previous weekend’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
“Cole, in the last four or five days, was not 100 per cent,” Maresca said in his press conference after victory at the London Stadium. “Today, he tried to warm up, but he felt something. So we prefer not to take any risk to get worse.
“Already probably [the] Palace game that he was not 100 per cent. But he is trying to make a big effort for the club, for the team, for the fans. Tonight, he tried again. But it was not very good.”
According to The Evening Standard, Chelsea’s medical staff will now evaluate Palmer, who disguised himself to attend the Notting Hill Carnival on Monday.
The next game for Chelsea will be against Fulham will be a lunchtime kickoff on Saturday.
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