Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Cole Palmer was left out of the Champions League squad traveling to Italy to face Atalanta as a planned measure to protect him from playing two games in quick succession following his return from injury.
According to a report from Hayters, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca clarified the absence of Cole Palmer from the squad traveling for the Champions League clash against Atalanta.
Palmer, who had been sidelined for two months with a groin injury and a fractured toe, recently returned in the defeat to Leeds last week.
Maresca confirmed the forward did not travel to Italy because he is not yet fit enough to handle consecutive games in a three-day period.
Maresca explained the decision was purely for the player’s safety and rehabilitation. “Cole, it is part of his process in this moment,” the Italian stated.
“He’s not available, he can’t play two games in a row in three days. So we’ve planned that and it’s just a way to protect him.”
Maresca also gave an update on Liam Delap, who injured his shoulder against Bournemouth, confirming, “Liam, fortunately he’s not got any fracture.”