Cole Palmer told he has lost place in Chelsea team despite being fit to face Arsenal
Cole Palmer shouldn’t go straight back into Chelsea’s starting lineup – Enzo Fernandez has stolen the shirt from him.
That’s the view of talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent, Alex Crook, who believes the Blues talisman must re-earn his place in the team after being declared fit to start against Arsenal on Sunday.
Will Cole Palmer play against Arsenal?
Palmer hasn’t featured since limping off in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on September 30.
The 23-year-old has struggled with a persistent groin injury, before most recently suffering a broken toe.
But Chelsea have been handed a boost ahead of their top of the table clash with the Gunners, as head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed Palmer is set to be named in the matchday squad.
Asked whether he is ready to play, Maresca said in his pre-match press conference: “He is available for both [to start and to play].”
The Italian added: “Everyone is happy. The teammates are happy, we are all happy.
“The most important thing is that Cole is happy, he needs to play games.”
Maresca continued: “He’s probably our best player, we are happy he is back, we need to give him time to make sure he’s 100 per cent fit.
“He has done fantastic in the past and there is no doubt he will do fantastic in the future.”
Palmer’s starting role questioned
talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent, Crook, believes Palmer is by no means guaranteed an immediate return to the starting XI, despite Maresca’s positive update.
While the England star has undoubtedly been Chelsea’s main man since joining the club in 2023, his side have performed well in his absence.
The Blues are up to second in the Premier League table, six points behind the Gunners, and recorded a stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.
While Palmer has been their main source of goals over the last two years, his teammates have shared this responsibility more recently.
Estevao, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo and Fernandez have all stepped up for Chelsea when called upon.
And Crook highlighted Fernandez as being a particular threat to Palmer’s route back into the first XI, who has deputised well in the No.10 role.
Previewing the Arsenal match, he said: “Enzo Fernandez in that number 10 position – brilliant the other night against Barcelona.
“[He had] two goals ruled out – one for handball in the build-up one for offside.
“I don’t think Cole Palmer gets his place back at the moment because of how well Enzo’s playing in that role.”
England doubts for Palmer
And it isn’t just Palmer’s position in the Chelsea team which has been called into question in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham claimed the playmaker’s World Cup chances were in doubt, with serious competition for places in the attacking midfield role.
The broadcaster argued the likes of Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden have all gone ahead of Palmer in the pecking order – who has featured just once under Thomas Tuchel for England.
Durham said: “I think Cole Palmer’s struggling to get on the plane, if I’m honest, I’ve thought this for a while now.
“He’s played 64 minutes under Thomas Tuchel and he was terrible – as was everybody else in the away 1-0 win against Andorra.
“That’s all Thomas Tuchel’s seen of him, so if it’s picked tomorrow – the squad – obviously it isn’t, but if it was picked tomorrow, Cole Palmer doesn’t get in.
“Even if he gets back fit, he’s still got a bit to prove come those March friendlies.
“So he’s not been part of the group and he’s big on the group being together Thomas Tuchel.
“I think we would all agree that’s a good thing – and he hasn’t seen him play.
“In the back end of last season, Cole Palmer wasn’t great – he has flashes, he has moments.”
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