Chelsea beat Pafos 1-0 in their penultimate Champions League group game but the absence of Cole Palmer from the matchday squad sparked fears of a fresh injury setback
A tight thigh was the reason behind Cole Palmer’s absence from the Chelsea squad that beat Pafos 1-0 on Wednesday night, although Liam Rosenior insists he will be “fine” for the weekend.
The Blues talisman has been plagued by a groin issue this term and the was absent from the squad for the Champions League tie with the Cypriot minnows. Rosenior was still able to name a strong team to take on Pafos – and he had Moises Caicedo to thank for sparing Chelsea’s blushes late in the second half.
Caicedo popped up in the 77th minute to head home the only goal of the game which, as expected, the hosts dominated.
But they were unable to find that finishing touch with Enzo Fernandez’s first half header being ruled out for a push. In the end a diving header from Caicedo was enough to keep Chelsea’s hopes of finishing in the top-eight alive.
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Palmer was on the scoresheet in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Brentford at the weekend, netting from the penalty spot. His ice-cool nature in front of goal was missed against Pafos and his absence from the team-sheet sparked fears that the former Manchester City man had suffered another injury setback.
But Rosenior, successful in his maiden Champions League outing as Chelsea boss, quelled those fears by insisting Palmer’s omission was purely precautionary and that he would be back for Sunday’s game with Crystal Palace.
“Cole felt a little bit of tightness in his thigh,” he said shortly before kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
“He just misses out, but he should be absolutely fine for Sunday. I’ve got to manage the squad as best as possible and make sure we are fit throughout the season with the sheer amount of games we’ve got in a short space of time.”
Chelsea end the matchweek in that coveted eight place in the table and will likely need to beat Napoli in their final game of the group phase to avoid a two-match play-off.
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