Chelsea's attacking midfielder Cole Palmer has been omitted from the squad for today's Premier League encounter with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, due to a persistent thigh issue.
Rosenior's Cautious Approach
Blues boss Liam Rosenior confirmed the decision in a pre-match interview with Sky Sports, emphasising a prudent strategy to avoid risking players who are not fully fit. "Yeah, unfortunately for us Cole's not quite right for this one," Rosenior stated. "I've said before in press conferences that we want to make sure every player is at 100%. There's no use risking players in January for what we want to achieve."
Rosenior elaborated that Palmer is dealing with "a little niggle in his thigh" and is "not quite 100%," but expressed optimism about his potential availability for the upcoming Champions League fixture against Napoli on Wednesday.
Season Disrupted by Injuries
This latest setback continues a frustrating campaign for the 23-year-old, whose season has been repeatedly hampered by physical problems. Palmer has managed only 13 appearances for Chelsea this term, with 12 of those coming in the Premier League. He was also rested for last week's Champions League victory over Pafos, underscoring the management's careful handling of his fitness.
The recurring injuries have inevitably curtailed his impact and development within the squad, raising questions about his ability to maintain consistency at the highest level.
Transfer Speculation and Future Plans
Amidst his injury struggles, Palmer has been subject to transfer rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United, partly attributed to reported feelings of homesickness. The midfielder hails from Manchester and began his professional career at Manchester City's academy before making his first-team breakthrough there.
However, Rosenior has moved to quash these rumours, asserting Palmer's integral role in Chelsea's long-term vision. "I've had numerous conversations with Cole and he seems very happy to be here," the manager revealed earlier this week. "He's a huge part in our long-term plans."
Rosenior added, "My job and the club's job is to get him into a situation where he can consistently perform to the level he wants to. There was frustration in the Brentford game. We need to look after him and that's why I didn't involve him in the last game."
Palmer transferred to Chelsea in 2023 for approximately £40 million and remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033, suggesting the club views him as a significant asset for the future, provided his fitness issues can be resolved.
