Cole Palmer is poised to make his long-awaited return to the pitch for Chelsea FC in their upcoming match against Arsenal FC on November 26, 2023. The young forward has been sidelined for over two months due to a groin injury sustained during a match against Manchester United in September. His recovery faced an additional setback after he fractured a toe in his left foot last week, but head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer is now ready to play.
In a recent statement, Maresca expressed the excitement surrounding Palmer’s comeback. “He’s available. Everyone is happy. The team-mates are happy. We are all happy and the most important thing is that Cole is happy because, at the end, a football player wants to play games and train every day,” he said. The head coach highlighted the significant role Palmer has played for Chelsea, stating, “What kind of contribution do I expect? A lot, a lot. He is probably our best player. We are happy that he is back.”
With Palmer’s absence, Estevao Willian has stepped up, notably scoring during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory against Barcelona. This performance made him the third player ever to score in his first three Champions League matches. When asked about the potential synergy between Palmer and Willian, Maresca indicated a positive outlook. “They can play together. It depends on which team, it depends a little bit on the game plan, but for sure they are excited.”
Chelsea enters the clash with Arsenal looking to narrow the gap to the league leaders to just three points. Maresca reflected on the team’s progress compared to the previous season when they also occupied a high position on the table but ultimately fell short of title contention. While he emphasized that it is still early in the season, he noted, “I think for sure it’s different compared to one year ago. It’s because we spent one more year together. We went through moments where we can learn from that moment. Then again, for me it’s very early. We are still at the end of November, December. So it’s very early, and it’s important to be where we are now in March, April, and then we’ll see.”
Adding to Chelsea’s optimism, midfielder Dario Essugo has resumed training after undergoing surgery for a thigh injury that had kept him out since early September. His return could provide additional depth to the squad as they navigate a crucial period of the season.
With the anticipation building for the match against Arsenal, Chelsea fans hope that the return of Palmer, alongside the emerging talents like Willian, will significantly boost the team’s performance in the Premier League.
