Chelsea boss provides positive update on Cole Palmer ahead of crunch Aston Villa clash
Cole Palmer is set to complete a full match for the first time in over three months when Aston Villa travel to Stamford Bridge this Saturday, according to Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
The England international has not played the entirety of a game since featuring in the Champions League away fixture against Bayern Munich back in September.
“He is ready for 90 minutes,” Maresca told Sky Sports. “The progression for a player is 45 (minutes), 60, 70. The progression is there.”
When asked whether he would prefer Villa’s in-form Morgan Rogers to his own playmaker, the Italian was emphatic in his response.
“No,” Maresca said. “Because I love Cole, and Cole is my player.”
The Chelsea manager believes the encounter could hinge on which of the two creative talents delivers their best performance on the night.
Both Palmer and Rogers have become known for sharing an identical ‘cold’ celebration, adding extra intrigue to their head-to-head battle.
Morgan Rogers was outstanding for Aston Villa in their 2-1 win over Manchester United last time out
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PAAsked whether reducing the fixture to a contest between the pair was overly simplistic, Maresca disagreed.
“No, they are two fantastic players,” he said.
“For sure, they are going to be important during the game.
Five things to know about Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca | PA
“But I think both players, they need the other 10 around them to support them and to help them to do the right things.
“For sure, it’s about Morgan, it’s about Cole, but it’s also about the teams.”
Maresca will be forced to watch Saturday’s clash from the press box after picking up a one-match touchline ban for accumulating too many yellow cards.
The suspension marks the third time in nearly 100 matches that the Italian has been banished from the technical area, with one previous instance coming for an overzealous celebration.
However, he dismissed suggestions that his absence from the dugout would significantly hamper Chelsea’s chances.
“No, no, no,” he said when asked if it limits him hugely. “Willy (Caballero) will be there (on the touchline), Danny (Walker) will be there, the coaching staff will be there.”
Cole Palmer’s season has been disrupted by injuries
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PA
Chelsea received a boost on the injury front, with both Estevao Willian and Liam Delap confirmed as available for selection following their respective layoffs.
The Blues will be looking to halt Villa’s remarkable run of form, with Unai Emery’s side arriving in west London on the back of ten consecutive victories.
Maresca has granted his squad a rare day off on Christmas Day before they reconvene on Boxing Day to prepare for the fixture the following evening.
The Italian also brushed aside questions about potential January transfer activity, including Chelsea’s withdrawn interest in Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
“I’m focused on Aston Villa,” Maresca said.
“I’m not focused on players that can arrive or leave.”
