New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is already facing his first major selection dilemma as star attacker Cole Palmer battles to be fit for the Blues' Premier League opener against Brighton.
The 22-year-old England international, who enjoyed a spectacular debut season at Stamford Bridge, is racing against time to recover from an undisclosed injury that has hampered his pre-season preparations.
Pre-Season Concerns Mount for Blues
Maresca confirmed the worrying news ahead of Chelsea's final friendly against Real Madrid in the United States, revealing Palmer has been unable to participate fully in training. "Cole is not available because he had a little problem," the Italian manager stated, though he remained cautiously optimistic about the timeframe.
While the injury isn't considered serious, the timing couldn't be worse as Chelsea prepare to kick off their campaign at the Amex Stadium on August 18th.
New Signings Adapt to Maresca's System
The former Leicester City manager also provided updates on Chelsea's summer acquisitions, confirming that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu, and Tosin Adarabioyo are all integrating into his tactical approach.
"They are good guys, good players, and they are settling in well with the team," Maresca commented, though he emphasised the challenge of adapting to new tactical demands.
Brighton Test Looms Large
With just weeks until the Premier League restart, Chelsea's opening fixture against Brighton represents a stern early test for Maresca's reign. The potential absence of Palmer, who contributed 22 goals and 11 assists last season, would represent a significant blow to Chelsea's attacking threat.
Supporters will be anxiously awaiting further updates on Palmer's recovery progress as the Brighton match draws closer.
