Enzo Maresca has explained why Cole Palmer missed Chelsea's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday, adding that he expects the midfielder to return after the international break.
Palmer had been an ever-present in Chelsea’s side this season, with the last Premier League match he missed coincidentally being their trip to Emirates Stadium last April, when they lost 5-0 to the Gunners.
Of Chelsea’s 53 goals this season, 20 have been scored or assisted by Palmer, even if he is in the middle of a seven-match scoreless streak in the competition, including a missed penalty last time out in the league.
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After initial reports suggested that Palmer's absence was through illness, Maresca clarified after the match that the playmaker had a muscular problem sustained in training for the Arsenal match.
"His injury was from yesterday’s session, it’s a muscular problem," said Maresca. "He needs a scan, and it is planned for tomorrow morning. I hope he can be back for our next game, but we need to wait for a scan.
"We don’t wish players injury, but probably in Cole’s case in this moment it will give him some rest, physically and mentally, it could be good."
Palmer has been named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. When asked about whether he would be absent from England duty, Maresca added to Sky Sports: "For sure, because he is injured and he didn't play today."
While not confirming Palmer's withdrawal, The FA did say that Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White has been called into the squad.
Maresca did have more positive news on attackers Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson, suggesting they would return after the international break.
