Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has come out to say it is possible Cole Palmer will miss England’s World Cup qualifying games against Albania and Latvia. The manager said Cole Palmer picked up an injury in training and was ruled out of their derby game against Arsenal which they lost 1-0.
Maresca Says Cole Palma May Miss England Clash
That was the first time the Chelsea was playing ]without him since April last year, when they were beaten 5-0 by Arsenal. Maresca thinks it is unlikely Palmer will join up with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. According to him, he said: “I don’t think [he will be fit for England] to be honest.”
The manager also said: “His injury is from yesterday’s session. It’s a muscular problem.” “He needs a scan and the scan is planned for Monday morning.” Chelsea were also without striker Nicolas Jackson and winger Noni Madueke in the 1-0 loss.
Enzo Maresca said: “It’s a huge difference. The three players who have the most goals for us [are] Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, none of them were inside the pitch.” “Two of them it’s already long term that they have been out. It’s normal that offensively that we can struggle a little bit.”
“I think even until today we are second or third best attacking in the league. We’re doing well with the other players but we could do better with the players that are in this moment injured.” “We don’t wish for a player’s injury but in Cole’s case at this moment, probably give him some rest physically and mentally it could be good,” added Maresca.
England will be playing Albania on Friday in their first match under new head coach Tuchel. They start their qualification campaign for the World Cup in 2026, before playing Latvia at Wembley.
