The Blues have already endured a tough run of injuries this season. Levi Colwill is sidelined with a major knee issue, while both Cole Palmer and Liam Delap have picked up muscle-related problems. ..Continue Reading
Delap suffered a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Fulham, and Palmer was absent from the squad after withdrawing ahead of the West Ham fixture the week before.
Maresca has provided updates on their conditions in recent days, but neither situation appears promising at this stage.
“Liam’s injury doesn’t look good in terms of, he was full speed, hamstring, so that required, like always, weeks,” he explained.
“The (Crystal) Palace game, he (Palmer) was not 100 per cent,” the Chelsea head coach disclosed after the win against West Ham
“But he is trying to make a big effort for the club, for the team, for the fans. Tonight again he tried again, but it was not very good.”
During his Fulham pre-match press conference six days later, after ruling him out, Maresca added: “Cole, we need to see day by day.”
Maresca will be eager to have Palmer back fit shortly before their Champions League campaign commences with a journey to Bayern Munich this month.
The 23-year-old has been absent for the previous two games but suggested he is close to returning via Instagram.
The Italian coach also mentioned Moises Caicedo when discussing the numerous injury issues Chelsea faced after participating in and winning the Club World Cup over the summer.
“Moi today (Thursday) only had his first training session since the West Ham game,” he stated prior to the win over Fulham.
Caicedo had maintained an unbroken run of appearances in competitive matches since the round of 16 in that tournament.
However, that streak came to an end early Friday morning when he was not included in Ecuador’s lineup for their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.
According to Ecuadorian journalist Maria Jose Flores, this absence was premeditated. Caicedo was never expected to feature in the match due to physical discomfort, though he is expected to be back in action for the upcoming clash with Argentina on Tuesday, September 9.
For Chelsea, this development presents both relief and concern. On one hand, his quick recovery is encouraging.
On the other, the idea of him facing the reigning world champions in such a high-stakes fixture raises questions about the potential risk involved.
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