Cole Palmer will miss Chelsea’s Champions League match against Atalanta on Tuesday as manager Enzo Maresca looks to keep the injury-prone attacker fresh. On Monday, Maresca confirmed that Palmer had been left out of Chelsea’s squad in Bergamo while he recovered from a two-month layoff. Palmer was originally hampered by a groin condition before breaking his toe while stubbing it into a door at home. The 23-year-old earned his first start for the Blues since September in Saturday’s goalless draw at Bournemouth, and Maresca is unwilling to risk him against Atalanta.
“Cole is currently in the midst of his journey. “He’s not available; he can’t play two games in three days,” Maresca explained.
“So we planned that, and it’s just a way to protect him.”
Liam Delap has also been ruled out after injured his shoulder at Bournemouth, although Maresca provided an encouraging report on the injury-prone attacker.
“Liam, there is no fracture, which is good news,” the Italian stated.
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“In terms of how long he will be out, we are not sure at this stage to be honest.”
Delap has already missed two months of the season with a hamstring injury.
Raheem Sterling, who is currently banished alongside Axel Disasi, will not be recalled as a result of Delap’s absence.
England forward Sterling and French defender Disasi have been working separately from the rest of the squad after failing to clinch deals away from Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window.
“In terms of Raheem, once again it’s the same thing I said about Axel, they are Chelsea players,” Maresca told the media.
“Now also we are in December, January is coming, so anything can happen, obviously.”
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