Enzo Maresca Provides Cole Palmer Injury Update after Chelsea’s Defeat to Bayern Munich | OneFootball

Chelsea Confidence Grows as Enzo Maresca Reassures Fans Over Cole Palmer Fitness

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has provided a calming update after fears over Cole Palmer’s fitness surfaced during the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. The England international looked in discomfort late in the match but his coach insisted the issue was not serious.

Cole Palmer shines despite defeat

Palmer was handed a starting place in Bavaria, his first since returning from a groin problem that had kept him out since the goalless draw with Crystal Palace four weeks ago. Marking his 100th appearance for Chelsea, he was at the heart of their best attacking moments. He scored once and had another ruled out for offside, showing the sharpness that has made him one of the team’s most influential players.

Chelsea eventually lost 3-1, but Palmer’s performance was one of the positives on a difficult night. He completed the full match, although late on cameras picked him up clutching his inner leg and grimacing. That sparked immediate concern among supporters.

Afterwards, Maresca moved to ease those worries. Asked directly about his playmaker, he responded: “Cole, I think, is okay. He said he was okay.”

Photo: IMAGO

Maresca reflects on European challenge

Maresca also used his post-match press conference to reflect on the gap in experience between Chelsea and Bayern. “In terms of experience between them and us, I think there was a huge difference. Because of the games they played, or because of the age, it doesn’t matter. But even without, we’re sure that we compete in the right way,” he said.

The Chelsea coach spoke from his own background in elite European football, having previously worked at Sevilla and Manchester City. He acknowledged the challenge of facing seasoned Champions League contenders. “To come to this stage, I’ve been already in this stage playing Champions League games as assistant manager or as assistant coach. With Sevilla, with [Manchester] City, it’s quite difficult to come here and compete,” he explained.

Building on lessons learned

While Chelsea were undone by Bayern’s quality over 90 minutes, Maresca was keen to stress that his side showed progress. “Against this team and try to dominate and control the game for 95 minutes, 100 minutes. This is not reality. It’s difficult to adapt. So, in the way we compete for part of the game, we were very good. Probably the mistake we did, it’s something that we can learn from that. And as I said, I have the feeling that we can build something special from this defeat.”

Focus shifts back to domestic stage

Attention now turns to Chelsea’s Premier League campaign, where Palmer’s creativity remains central to their plans. With Maresca confident the forward has avoided a setback, the focus is firmly on using the Bayern match as a learning experience. For a young squad still developing under their manager, nights like these are seen as part of the journey towards becoming genuine contenders again.