Cole Palmer unlikely to play vs PL rivals, hasn't trained

Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer has not trained at all this week, Blues manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed to the press. The England international and CFC's brightest was injured during an intolerable challenge from Manchester United chopper Lisandro Martinez. Stupidly, and unfortunately for those most talented footballers, Martinez was the latest Man United player not to be red carded and consequently suspended after this latest incident. Maresca then added further worrying details about his standout attacker.

According to the former Leicester City boss, the playmaker may not be risked for the match against Arsenal on Sunday following the Martinez foul in the contest at Old Trafford. Palmer is said to be unlikely to play versus Premier League rivals the Gunners in the weekend's coming fixtures after he missed Chelsea practice sessions during the week. So, how severe is the latter's problem supposed to be? Will he be fit to face the English top-flight runners-up? Is he to be omitted from more unnecessary Nations League action with the Three Lions? And will he be ready for the Blues' upcoming easier schedule of games?

Chelsea have some winnable encounters on the horizon - now's the time to strike

Chels' really need their best professionals available all the time. It's obvious. Having your preeminent baller, Palmer, healthy as well as ready for anything coming his way is essential.

And the run of fixtures the west London side have coming up should be seen as an opportunity to get a foothold in the EPL top four. I am aware that CFC are currently in fourth position. However, maintaining and solidifying that place will take many months of continuous hard work.

With all this optimism, what does the favourable succession of outings entail? First of all, Chelsea must get Mikel Arteta's weakened yet still deadly group out or the way. Subsequently, meetings with Leicester City, Southampton, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers are sprinkled into the schedule fairly tightly.

Enzo Maresca on Cole Palmer's damage and availability

'How bad is Palmer's injury?' - that's the question on every football fan's mind at present. Thankfully Maresca has divulged some information for the eager Blues fan base.

The Italian is hopeful that the forward's affliction isn't too serious. Though Maresca considers it a "risk" to deploy Palmer for the Arsenal clash. Further comments from the 44-year-old are below this sentence:

"Enzo Maresca has said it would be a risk for Cole Palmer to play against Arsenal on Sunday after Chelsea ’s leading man was injured by Manchester United ’s Lisandro Martinez last weekend.

The England star has not trained since being hurt at Old Trafford following a challenge that saw Martinez yellow carded."

- Mirror