LONDON, United Kingdom — In a significant boost for Chelsea’s title aspirations, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed Friday that star forward Cole Palmer has regained full fitness and will start in Sunday’s high-stakes Premier League confrontation against league leaders Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old English international has been sidelined for over two months since September 20, initially due to a groin injury followed by a fractured toe that limited him to just four appearances across all competitions this season.
Maresca expressed collective optimism during his pre-match press conference, stating: “The entire squad is delighted, his teammates are pleased, and most importantly Cole himself is thrilled because footballers ultimately live to play matches.” The Italian manager acknowledged Palmer’s pivotal role, describing him as “probably our best player” while emphasizing the need for gradual reintegration to peak condition.
Palmer’s return couldn’t be timelier for second-placed Chelsea, who could narrow the gap with Arsenal to just three points with a victory. The forward previously demonstrated his scoring prowess as Chelsea’s Premier League top scorer last season with 15 goals, despite having netted only twice in his limited appearances this campaign.
The press conference also addressed emerging talent Brazilian wonderkid Estevao, who dazzled in Chelsea’s 3-0 Champions League victory against Barcelona with a spectacular solo goal. Maresca acknowledged the tantalizing prospect of pairing Palmer with the 18-year-old phenom, though he stressed the necessity of maintaining tactical balance.
While reflecting on Chelsea’s progress since his appointment last season—which included UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs—Maresca remained cautiously optimistic about title ambitions, noting: “We’ve evolved significantly compared to one year ago through shared experiences and learning from challenging moments. However, it’s premature for title predictions; the crucial period will be March and April.”
The weekend’s Premier League fixtures feature multiple compelling matchups, including Manchester City versus Leeds, Tottenham against Fulham, and West Ham hosting Liverpool, though all eyes will be focused on Sunday’s London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal.