Cole Palmer remains a doubt for Chelsea’s Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday after sustaining an injury during last weekend’s draw with Manchester United.
The England international was on the receiving end of a harsh challenge from Lisandro Martinez, who went in high and caught Palmer on the knee with his studs.
Despite the discomfort, Palmer completed the match, which ended 1-1.
However, he has since missed training, and Blues manager Enzo Maresca was unable to confirm whether he would be fit for Sunday’s fixture.
“Cole didn’t train yesterday. We will see today if he is able to train with us,” the Italian told a pre-match press conference ahead of a Europa Conference League clash with Noah on Thursday.
Asked if he would make it for the meeting with the Gunners, Maresca replied: “We hope so. But we need to see and then decide.”
Pressed on whether it would be a risk to play him this weekend, Maresca said: “Yeah, for sure.
“We said he didn’t train the last two days. We’ll see.
“The tackle was not a normal one.
“Hopefully he can be back.”
The Chelsea manager was livid following the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, expressing his frustration over the challenge on Cole Palmer by Man United’s Lisandro Martinez.
The Blues boss insisted that Martinez should have been sent off for the foul.
Despite the severity of the challenge, Martinez was only shown a yellow card, with VAR failing to intervene or recommend a review of the decision.
“He was in the changing room with ice. We are waiting now. Hopefully it is nothing,” Maresca said of Palmer on Sunday.
“And then I know that you are going to ask me about the referee decision.
“They showed me before the press conference and it quite clear but the referee took a different decision.
‘It was not the intention to go for the ball. He goes for the legs.
“There is no doubt about the decision. I think it is quite clearly a red.”
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