COLE PALMER SET TO RETURN FOR CHELSEA’S CLASH WITH ASTON VILLA
In a much-needed boost for Chelsea, attacking midfielder Cole Palmer is set to make his return for their upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa. Palmer, who is currently joint-top scorer in the league with 20 goals, missed their recent 5-0 defeat at Arsenal due to illness. However, he was spotted back in training on Thursday, indicating that he is ready to rejoin the squad.
Although Palmer’s absence was felt during the Arsenal match, Chelsea manager Pochettino expressed his confidence in the midfielder’s availability for the upcoming game. “He has been training well the last few days so we assume he will be part of the squad,” Pochettino said during a press conference on Friday. This news will surely be a relief for Chelsea fans, who are hoping for a strong performance against Aston Villa.
While Palmer’s return is imminent, Reece James and Levi Colwill are still not available for selection. Although both players were seen training with the squad, Pochettino confirmed that they are not yet ready to make their comeback. However, their progress suggests that they could be back in action soon.
Another player who has been sidelined is Malo Gusto, who has missed the last two games due to a minor knee ligament injury. According to Chelsea’s latest injury update, Gusto is currently undergoing a rehabilitation program. The club will be hoping for his swift recovery, as his presence on the field has been sorely missed.
In addition to Gusto, Pochettino revealed that Raheem Sterling and Carney Chukwuemeka have also joined the injury list. Sterling is dealing with lower back pain, while Chukwuemeka has a knee issue related to a previous problem. The extent of their injuries is yet to be determined, but the club is optimistic that they will be available for selection soon.
Unfortunately, Enzo Fernandez will be out for the rest of the season as he undergoes groin surgery. However, the club expects him to be fully fit in time for Argentina’s Copa America campaign this summer. Fernandez’s absence will be felt, but Chelsea will be hopeful that his recovery goes smoothly and that he can return to action as soon as possible.
