Cole Palmer: Chelsea suffer major injury blow as Enzo Maresca explains substitution in Man Utd defeat | OneFootball

Chelsea’s star man was forced off after just 20 minutes against Manchester United

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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Enzo Maresca has confirmed Cole Palmer was forced off early during Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United after his recurring groin injury flared up.

Palmer has been struggling with a groin issue since pre-season and missed England’s World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.

The attacking midfielder returned last week, coming off the bench to score as Chelsea drew 2-2 at Brentford.

Palmer started against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, and did so again at Old Trafford on Saturday, but his injury is still troubling him.

The 23-year-old had to be substituted 20 minutes into Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United, with Andrey Santos replacing him.

“He (Palmer) tried this morning. He had a test this morning to play this game,” said Maresca.

“He was not 100 per cent fit. He made a fantastic effort to play this game, but he was not 100 per cent.

“It’s a problem that is already a long time for him, his groin. Again, he did this morning a test. He wants to play this game for the team, to be close. So the effort has been huge from him.

“But then, after 20 minutes, he started to feel something, so we decided to change it.”

Replaced: Cole Palmer

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Chelsea struggled against Manchester United and were on the back foot from the off after Robert Sanchez was sent off inside the first five minutes.

The goalkeeper was given a red card after clearing out United winger Bryan Mbeumo when he was through on goal.

Maresca had no complaints with the dismissal, but admitted he would have preferred for Sanchez to have conceded a goal and stayed on the pitch.

“Probably it is the best solution, because we still have 95 minutes to play,” he said.

“I think even Robert is aware of that. But also, it is difficult because he has to take a decision in one or two seconds.

“But, for sure, if you ask me, I prefer to be 1-0 down after three minutes, then one player down after three minutes.”