Maresca Sounds Alarm: Chelsea Must Shield Star Palmer After Injury Scare

Enzo Maresca has disclosed that Chelsea are approaching Cole Palmer's situation on a "daily basis" to "safeguard" and handle the player following a persistent groin problem that resurfaced during the Manchester United match.

After coming back from a previous groin absence as a replacement against Brentford and subsequently starting versus Bayern Munich, Palmer cleared a last-minute fitness assessment before the Old Trafford encounter—though he still wasn't deemed fully fit.

When Chelsea found themselves down to 10 men early after goalkeeper Robert Sánchez received his marching orders, Maresca quickly decided to substitute Palmer upon sensing his discomfort.

The Blues manager cannot provide a specific timeline for Palmer's comeback, though he believes surgical intervention is improbable since the medical staff haven't discussed it with him.

"We must safeguard Cole absolutely, without question. Not just Cole in my opinion because as I mentioned due to the Club World Cup or because we never have breaks, we must handle and protect various players," Maresca stated, while also mentioning Moisés Caicedo and João Pedro.

"The approach with Cole, I'm uncertain, we'll have a discussion with the medical team and determine the optimal course of action for him," he continued.

"However, it's the type of injury that isn't straightforward. It's a condition where some days you might feel improved. It's not that you experience pain and it vanishes the next day. At times you can feel better, other times worse. That's why we must handle it on a daily basis."

Paradoxically, Chelsea have secured victories this season only when Palmer has been absent, defeating West Ham United and Fulham while the England international was sidelined. In matches where he has participated, the Blues have been unable to overcome Crystal Palace, Brentford, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.