Chelsea fans have been left holding their breath after rising star Cole Palmer was conspicuously absent from first-team training, casting doubt over his availability for the Blues' upcoming pre-season showdown against his former club Manchester City.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who became an instant fan favourite at Stamford Bridge last season, was notably missing from sessions captured in the club's latest training footage from their US tour base.
Pre-Season Setback for Key Playmaker
Palmer's absence comes at a crucial time for new manager Enzo Maresca, who is implementing his tactical system ahead of the new Premier League campaign. The England international's creative spark and goal-scoring prowess had been expected to be central to Chelsea's preparations.
While the club has remained tight-lipped about the nature of Palmer's issue, his non-participation in training sessions has raised legitimate concerns about his fitness ahead of Thursday's high-profile friendly against Premier League champions Manchester City in Ohio.
Timing Couldn't Be Worse
The potential injury setback arrives at an particularly inconvenient moment for both player and club. Palmer was poised to face his former employers for the first time since his £42.5 million move to Chelsea last summer.
Last season, the young maestro enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough campaign, netting an impressive 25 goals across all competitions and establishing himself as one of the most exciting talents in English football.
Maresca's Selection Headache
Should Palmer be ruled out of the Manchester City encounter, new boss Enzo Maresca faces his first significant selection dilemma. The Italian manager must decide whether to risk his star player or err on the side of caution with the Premier League season opener against Manchester City looming on August 18th.
Chelsea supporters will be desperately hoping this is nothing more than a minor precautionary measure, as Palmer's presence has become increasingly vital to the team's attacking fluidity and goal threat.
The coming days will prove crucial in determining the extent of Palmer's fitness concerns and whether Chelsea's main man will be ready to lead the line when the competitive action resumes.
