Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that England international Cole Palmer will be available for selection when the Blues travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Saturday evening.
Palmer, who has quickly established himself as one of Chelsea’s most influential players since his move from Manchester City, had been a doubt following the club’s midweek UEFA Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
However, Maresca provided a reassuring update during his pre-match press conference on Friday, stressing that the 22-year-old is fully fit.
“Yes, Cole is okay,” Maresca said when asked about the forward’s condition. “We have a training session now where we will look at the players. We flew back yesterday from Munich, so we need to assess some of the guys before we make a decision for the weekend.”
The Italian tactician acknowledged that the tight turnaround between Wednesday’s Champions League fixture and Saturday’s league clash has complicated preparations.
Chelsea only returned from Bavaria on Thursday, and several players are still being evaluated for match readiness.
“We haven’t had a session since the game on Wednesday, so we have some doubts,” Maresca admitted. “But we will see after today’s training session.”
Despite the physical strain, Chelsea’s focus is firmly on bouncing back in the Premier League.
The Blues will face a revitalized Manchester United side led by new manager Ruben Amorim, who has been tasked with restoring confidence and consistency at Old Trafford.
With both clubs looking to reassert themselves in the top-four race, Saturday’s meeting promises to be a significant contest.
Maresca also spoke about squad depth, highlighting the potential involvement of 18-year-old striker Marc Guiu, who was recalled earlier this month from his loan spell at Sunderland following Liam Delap’s injury.
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The coach confirmed that the young Spaniard is in his plans for the season.
“Marc Guiu is back, and the reason why he is back is because we intend to use him,” Maresca explained.
“He is a good player and while he needs to do things better and can still improve, we know what Marc can offer us. For sure, we are going to use him.”
Guiu’s return adds another attacking option as Chelsea seeks to recover from their Champions League setback.
Maresca emphasized the importance of fresh legs and competition for places, noting that every player will be vital in navigating the congested schedule.
With Palmer cleared and Guiu pushing for inclusion, Chelsea supporters will hope the team can respond positively after the disappointment in Munich.
The showdown at Old Trafford is expected to test the Blues’ resilience, but Maresca insists his squad is prepared to fight.
Chelsea currently sit outside the Champions League qualification places, and a victory against a direct rival like Manchester United would represent a crucial boost in their campaign.
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