Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca provides an update on Cole Palmer’s injury, suggesting surgery may not be necessary.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has provided an update on Cole Palmer’s injury, offering a glimmer of hope that surgery might not be required. Palmer was substituted off just 21 minutes into Chelsea’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Manchester United due to a groin issue. 

Maresca revealed that the medical staff hasn’t mentioned surgery as a necessity, and he’s optimistic about Palmer’s recovery.

Palmer’s groin problem has been a recurring issue this season, limiting him to just two league starts. Despite not being 100% fit, Palmer made a huge effort to play against Manchester United, showcasing his dedication to the team. However, after going down to 10 men following Robert Sanchez’s red card, Maresca decided to prioritize caution and substituted Palmer to avoid exacerbating the injury.

Maresca explained that Palmer’s situation will be assessed on a day-by-day basis, with the coaching staff monitoring his progress closely. While Palmer is likely to miss Tuesday’s Carabao Cup fixture against Lincoln City, Maresca is hopeful that he’ll be available soon. 

There is exciting news for Chelsea as Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile trained with the team yesterday. Although they won’t play against Lincoln, Maresca notes that they are making good progress in their recovery. 

The Carabao Cup match against Lincoln City presents an opportunity for Chelsea’s academy players to gain valuable experience. Maresca acknowledged that these types of matches can be challenging, saying, “These are the games that worry me most, because you can slip up very easily. Football is full of these kinds of games, and I am very worried about that”