Enzo Maresca had a pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming game against Lincoln City.
Chelsea face the League One side in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United over the weekend.
Unsurprisingly, the Chelsea head coach was asked about his star player, Cole Palmer.
Palmer has been struggling with a groin issue and had to be taken off in the Blues’ loss to United.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca doubts Cole Palmer needs surgery
The good news for Chelsea supporters is that it does not look like Palmer will require surgery.
Discussing the attacking midfielder in his pre-match press conference, Maresca told football.london and other outlets: “The medical staff, they didn’t mention to me about surgery until today [meaning there has been no chat about it up until this point].
“I don’t know if in the next days or the next weeks, but I don’t think so, to be honest.”
With Chelsea’s game against Lincoln being a Carabao Cup fixture, Palmer is likely to be rested, provided he is fit.
It means that Facundo Buonanotte could get a start in the No.10 position following his arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion on deadline day.
Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho will also be hoping to get some game time at the LNER Stadium.
What Cole Palmer did just before substitution at Old Trafford
While Palmer started against United, the Englishman clearly did not feel completely right.
Just prior to his substitution, Palmer ran over to Maresca, presumably to inform his manager that he was having a fitness issue.
Taking Palmer, Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto off, the Blues finished the first half with practically zero threat on the pitch. Joao Pedro remained and did his best, but it was not enough in the end.
Former Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant has been critical of Chelsea following their defeat at Old Trafford.
With Levi Colwill set to miss most of the season, Pennant has questioned Chelsea’s decision not to sign Marc Guehi in the previous transfer window.
With his contract set to expire next year, the former Chelsea academy product was available for just £40m.
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