What Cole Palmer did with Enzo Maresca just before he was subbed off during Man United vs Chelsea

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Enzo Maresca surprised everyone when he substituted Cole Palmer in the first half of Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United, however an unseen conversation could be behind the decision.

The Blues got off to the worst possible start when Robert Sanchez was sent off in the first five minutes, a decision Mark Clattenburg believes was the right call.

Maresca had to make changes, and instantly replaced both Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto for Filip Jorgensen and Tosin Adarabioyo, however questions were asked when Palmer was substituted off minutes later.

The England international would have been most people’s picks to bring Chelsea back into the game when they were 1-0 down, however his substitution looks likely to be due to an injury.

What Cole Palmer did just before being subbed off during Man United vs Chelsea

Journalist Kieran Gill stated that while VAR was checking United’s opening goal, Palmer had run over to talk to Maresca, potentially about his fitness.

He said: “Worth noting that while the VAR check for Bruno Fernandes’ opener was ongoing, Cole Palmer ran over to Enzo Maresca for a word, presumably to tell him that he had a fitness issue.”

Chelsea would have loved to have had Palmer on the pitch when the numbers were evened following Casemiro’s sending off late in the first half, and especially when Trevoh Chalobah dragged them back into the game with 10 minutes to play.

It is fair to say Maresca was not planning for this eventuality though, and had the long-term goal of the season at the forefront of his mind.

Chelsea desperate to protect Palmer

In Chelsea’s hard-fought defeat against Bayern Munich in the week, Palmer showed just how important he was to this side with his goal and all-round performance.

However, Palmer was an injury concern after that game, and Chelsea cannot afford for him to be absent for a prolonged period of time.

While many may think the Blues could have got back into that game if their main man was out there, they will need to think about the fact that they have a long season both domestically and in Europe.

He will at least get a break when they line up against Lincoln in the EFL Cup this week, with him almost certainly not set to be named in the travelling squad.