Cole Palmer Chelsea injury latest as Enzo Maresca fires Thomas Tuchel clear England update

Cole Palmer will have the chance to recharge his batteries over the international break. The 22-year-old midfielder had been unwell for some time before picking up a knock ahead of Chelsea's clash against Arsenal.

Prior to the defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Palmer had started each of the Blues' games in the Premier League this season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists. Playing such a key role in Enzo Maresca's side, the England international has fired Chelsea to fourth in the table.

Palmer has already played over 2,700 minutes for the Blues this term – and it appears to have taken a toll on his body. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up everything you need to know about Palmer and his fitness.

Palmer soldiers on through illness

Maresca revealed that Palmer was suffering from diarrhoea in the days before Chelsea's win over Leicester City last weekend. Speaking to reporters after the game, the Blues boss defended his talisman, revealing he wasn't 100 per cent fit.

"It’s very easy, Cole didn’t train yesterday because he didn’t feel well," said Maresca. "This morning he woke up and asked if he could be on the pitch to help this club play in the Champions League.

"He didn’t feel well in the night but he wanted to be there to help win the game. In the last two days he was completely out. Fever and diarrhea. In the last 48 hours he didn’t train. He was really bad."

Maresca added: "The Leicester keeper is brilliant and Cole is going to score more penalties and miss more. The people need to understand the effort he made to be there. Cole is a top player. Everything is normal now. We are happy with him.

"Sometimes the fans don’t understand how difficult it is. We prepared in the last three games in one and Leicester played in a different way. We need 12 players at home and I think we can be there."

Maresca reveals Chelsea squad stomach bug

Speaking to reporters ahead of Chelsea's second leg clash against Copenhagen in the UEFA Conference League round of 16, Maresca revealed that Palmer had returned to training after a few days out of action. On Wednesday, The Blues boss said: "Cole, Reece [James] and Christo [Nkunku], today has been the first session.

"Yesterday they were not here and two days ago they had a rest. The reason why is because all of them had some problems but today, they were all back and they were all better."

Palmer returns to action for Chelsea

Palmer returned to action during the second leg of Chelsea's win over Copenhagen in the UEFA Conference League round of 16. The 22-year-old midfielder featured off the bench at Stamford Bridge, showing glimpses of his former self.

Maresca explains Palmer absence vs Arsenal

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Chelsea's clash against Arsenal, Maresca was quizzed on Palmer's absence. The Blues boss explained that he had suffered an injury in training prior to the heavyweight bout.

"He's not in the toilet, for sure!" said Maresca. "He had, as we know, last week some problems [with illness]. And unfortunately yesterday he had a very small problem. We think, after the international break, he will be back with us.

"He had an injury yesterday during the session. It was a very light session. That's why we think it is nothing important. But we wait and the feeling is he will be back after the next international break."

Palmer to miss England duty

Palmer had earned an England call-up for a pair of World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia later this month, but he's set to pull out of Thomas Tuchel’s first squad. When asked about if he'll absent from Three Lions duty, Maresca added: "For sure, because he is injured and he didn't play today."

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