Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer is ready to play 90 minutes against Aston Villa, says Enzo Maresca.
Cole Palmer is finally ready to play a full match for Chelsea, according to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. Palmer has been restricted to partial appearances due to a groin injury and a broken toe, but Maresca believes the playmaker has completed his comeback journey through a careful progression of minutes.
Maresca stated that Palmer’s progression has been impressive, having played one hour against Everton and more than 70 minutes in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle. “I think he is ready for 90 minutes. The progression for a player is 45 minutes, one hour, 70,” Maresca said.
The Italian manager will also welcome back two more players from the treatment room, with striker Liam Delap recovering from a shoulder injury and winger Estevao returning from a muscle problem. “Estevao is back, he’s available for Saturday. Him, and also Liam Delap… So I’m very happy for both,” Maresca said.
Maresca himself will be in the stands after earning a touchline ban with his third yellow card of the season. “Yes, in almost 100 games, I’ve been suspended three times. One for celebration and two times for yellow cards,” he said.
Maresca praised Reece James, who has grown in influence after shaking off injury issues, saying, “He is growing in terms of leadership and he is playing more and more minutes.”
Chelsea face a stern test against third-placed Aston Villa, who sit seven points ahead of the fourth-placed London side.
