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The Chelsea manager said he was confident Palmer, who scored 15 Premier League goals last season, would not need surgery.
“We try to protect Cole as much as we can,” Maresca said. “The most important thing is when he comes back, he is fully fit.
“The medical staff are not magicians. We hope six weeks are enough. We need to see it step-by-step. For sure, he’s going to be OK.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer will be rested for up to three weeks as the midfielder continues to manage a persistent groin injury.
Palmer was forced off in the first half of last weekend’s defeat at Manchester United after the issue reoccurred, having initially flared up during the shortened two-week pre-season after Chelsea won the Club World Cup in July.
Enzo Maresca’s side face Brighton and Liverpool in the Premier League, and
Liam Delap was one of this summer’s most-wanted strikers.
The 22-year-old scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games for Ipswich, with his tantalising £30m release clause attracting numerous suitors after the club was relegated back to the Championship.
He was given permission to speak to clubs in May, with Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest all showing serious interest while Manchester City also held a buy-back option on
Chelsea strengthened their bid for a place in next season’s Champions League with victory against newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot made six changes from the side that beat Tottenham Hotspur to clinch the title at Anfield, resulting in a display lacking some of their traditional intensity until it was too late.
After giving Liverpool the traditional champions’ guard of honour before
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer’s recent struggles on the pitch are “a mental thing”, says boss Enzo Maresca.
The England international, 22, has not scored in 16 games – having netted 14 times in his first 23 games of the season.
Chelsea have slipped from second place to sixth – and out of the Champions League places – in that time.
But Palmer has had more shots than any other Premier
Palmer started the season in red-hot form for the Blues, scoring 14 goals and creating six assists across his first 21 Premier League appearances. However, he has zero goal involvements since.
Many Chelsea supporters, as well as Fantasy Football fans, had pencilled in Chelsea’s home match against a Southampton side who sit bottom of the league and have the worst defensive record as the fixture where Palmer would restart his
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he is not concerned by Cole Palmer’s form or body language.
The Italian manager addressed the issue of the England international’s dip in form amid Chelsea’s run of two wins in 10 matches in all competitions.
The 22-year-old forward has not scored in any of his past six matches in all competitions and has not registered an assist in any of his past 13 matches.
Bryan Mbeumo, Brentford, £8m – Everton (h)
What was I thinking, leaving Mbeumo out of the team of the week last time as he scored 14 points away at Leicester?
He’s now only 11 points behind Palmer for the season and this week’s game against Everton could turn into another bonanza, with David Moyes’ visitors involved in two 2-2 draws in their past three.
Mohamed Salah (vice captain), Liverpool,
Nick Pope, Newcastle, keeper, £5m – home to Leicester City
Newcastle have let in seven in their past two games – but hear me out!
Pope has made 54 saves this season at a rate of more than three per game, so you are almost guaranteed a save point.
And Newcastle should dominate possession against Leicester – it’s not hard to imagine a home win to nil.
Jurrien Timber, Arsenal,
Cole Palmer’s ice-cool ‘Panenka’ penalty sealed Chelsea’s impressive comeback as they came from two goals behind to win at Tottenham.
Strikes from Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernandez and two spot-kicks from Palmer sank Spurs, who made a fast start but then fell apart and suffered a defeat that adds to the recent agony for under-fire manager Ange Postecoglou.
Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski had put Tottenham 2-0 up in 11