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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said Cole Palmer is not ‘completely fit’ for their London derby against Arsenal in the Premier League.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer (AP)
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca hopes to have Cole Palmer fit and raring to go when they face Arsenal in a Premier League London derby on Sunday after the playmaker injured his knee in the draw with Manchester United last weekend.
Palmer has started this season with seven goals and five assists in 10 Premier League games, helping to lift Chelsea up to fourth in the standings.
Palmer was not registered in Chelsea’s Conference League squad for the group stages, which meant he did not play in Thursday’s 8-0 win over Noah, but the 22-year-old has not trained this week.
“Cole is getting better, but because he can walk and have dinner doesn’t mean he is completely fit,” Maresca said.
“He is getting better and we still have two days to prepare for the game. Hopefully, we can have him for a session – at least on Saturday – and then we take a decision.”
Arsenal are level with Chelsea on 18 points as the north London side look to get out of a slump and gain a foothold in the title race with Liverpool and Manchester City surging ahead.
“I like to get pressure from these kinds of games. The pressure is also for us. For sure, they are the closest one with City. Both I consider better than the rest,” Maresca said.
“The reason why is because one club is working with the same manager for nine years and the other one is working with the same manager for five years. This is a big advantage compared to the rest.
“But we’re going to try to make life difficult for them on Sunday.”
“Hopefully we can win on Sunday, we can win that kind of game, but also, in the Premier League, it’s important and it’s difficult to win against any team.
“If I could decide, for sure I would like to win against Arsenal, no doubt. But Liverpool away, the performance was very good and we didn’t deserve to lose, even City. The good thing is we are there and you cannot see a big difference when we play these kinds of games,” he added.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 5-0 in their last meeting before Maresca took charge and the Italian said he is wary of their set-piece threat.
“Mentally it will be very tough. Set pieces, they are very good. I watched the Champions League game against Inter Milan and every corner was smelling of a goal,” Maresca said.
(With inputs from Agencies)
- Location :
London, United Kingdom (UK)
