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22 September 2025 122 comments
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The talk around Cole Palmer‘s (£10.4m) troublesome groin rumbles on as we head towards Gameweek 6.

Palmer was forced off after 20 minutes of Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday, with Enzo Maresca saying that he was “not 100%” even ahead of kick-off.

PALMER: MONDAY’S LATEST

Maresca has been facing the media again this morning ahead of the Blues’ EFL Cup tie with Lincoln City. Cole Palmer (groin), naturally, was top of the agenda.

“Cole probably is the only one that we need to assess a little bit. The rest, they are okay, just recovering from the last week when we played three games in a row.

“He did already a huge effort on last Saturday to try to play the game. Again, he tried Saturday morning, he did the test, he was okay but not 100%. But he wants to be there to help teammates to be there in that kind of game. But unfortunately, then we had 10 players and also it was painful, so we decided to change it. And it’s more day by day, week by week, game by game to see how it is and decide what we do.” – Enzo Maresca

Palmer’s boss was then asked if surgery was an option.

“The medical staff, they didn’t mention to me about surgery until today. Now, I don’t know if in the next days or the next weeks, but I don’t think so, to be honest.” – Enzo Maresca on Cole Palmer

The above quotes could be interpreted as ‘surgery was discussed today’, of course. However, the consensus seems to be that Maresca meant that ‘it hasn’t been discussed at all up until this point’.

OTHER CHELSEA TEAM NEWS

Maresca didn’t have any other major concerns ahead of Tuesday’s game.

Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro were mentioned as players with “small problems” but this sounded more like Maresca laying the groundwork for a complete midweek breather.

“We have some players with small problems from already a long time, like Moi [Caicedo], like Joao [Pedro], that they are trying to manage a little bit themselves. But then the rest, they are okay.” – Enzo Maresca

Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia (both match fitness) have returned to training and their manager is hopeful “they can be available very soon” but this game comes too soon for that duo.

Levi Colwill (knee), Dario Essugo (thigh), Liam Delap (hamstring) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspended) are also out.

So too are Robert Sanchez and Marc Guiu. The former is suspended for one domestic game after his red card on Saturday, while the latter is cup-tied.

Both will be available in Gameweek 6.

122 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    A) Cucurella to Senesi and TC Haaland
    B) Reinildo to Senesi and BB - Dubravka, Gabriel, Senesi, Gakpo

    Current team:

    Vicario (Dub)
    Cucu, Porro, Tarkowski (Gabriel, Reinildo)
    Semenyo, Grealish, Kudus, Reijnders (Gakpo)
    Haaland (TC), Pedro, Wood

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      TC

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      I wouldn't BB at Man City, Leeds, Newcastle and Palace

      Wait for home fixtures

      I'm not sold on TC but he could bang, if Haaland rests his back this week.

      He won't start against Huddersfield.

  2. webber6969
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Petrovic
    Chalobah, VVD, Sensei.
    Grealish, Salah, Semenyo, Baby Reijnders, Gakpo.
    João Pedro, Haaland

    Dubravka, Rodon, Gudmundsson, Barnes.

    Two FT, £0.3 banked.

    1) Gakpo to Ndiaye?
    Or
    2) Roll over two FT to next week?

    1. Pedersen
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      A baby might be cute, but I dont think a baby would make a good fpl asset

      1. webber6969
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        It's a play on words.

        After the opening game of the season I said "Reijnders baby!", to which my friend replied "Baby Reindeer".

  3. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Riccardo Calafiori has had more shots on goal (10) than ANY other Arsenal player in the Premier League this season.

    Against City, he looked like he was given a free role in the midfield.

    Although Lewis Skelly is a threat, is Calafiori a good alternative to Gabriel?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Probably

      I'm weighing up those two

      The question is, will Artera tire of his wayward shooting and drop him?

  4. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    What to change here, wildcard active with £0.5m itb:

    Raya Dub
    Gabriel Tark Chalobah Senesi Esteve
    Semenyo Eze Grealish Reijnders Stach
    Haaland Isak Pedro

    Grealish to I Sarr, or give him another week or two?

    1. space mercenary
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      Eze a mins risk so maybe Grealish AND Sarr or Semenyo.

    2. webber6969
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 14 days ago

      I'd swap Rodon for Esteve.
      Higher likelihood of clean sheets and also DEFCON.

      Also, with Dubravka as your backup goalie, I wouldn't want to double up on Burnley in defence.

      Also, I'd swap Stach for Dewsbury-Hall.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 14 days ago

        Cheers

        KDH one card away from a one match ban but that's just one game

        When Burnley have a decent fixture I don't mind the double up, Leeds have okay fixtures too, I might swap it around.

        Appreciate the feedback.

  5. Assisting the assister
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 14 days ago

    Foden or Bruno on WC this week?

    1. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 13 days ago

      Bruno

  6. Alsayyadi RF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 13 days ago

    I have Palmer in my team , what can i do with him ?