Exclusive: Results of Palmer’s first scan, plus the reason he’s got another today | OneFootball

The big surprise from Chelsea’s team sheet when the Blues faced Arsenal on Sunday was the absence of Cole Palmer. The attacker was not on the pitch or on the bench.

There had been no warning of this, but speaking ahead of kick off, Enzo Maresca revealed that his star player had picked up a knock in training.

Pressed for more information after full time, the manager added the detail that it was a “muscular problem” and that Palmer was likely to miss England duty, although he did also play down the severity of it. The Italian coach noted that Palmer was heading for a scan on Monday.

Well, our writer Simon Phillips has an exclusive on his Substack on the result of that scan. He says that it’s “come back all clear” in terms of serious damage, but that the issue isn’t solved yet. Palmer is still feeling pain, and there will now be another scan to check if it’s “referred pain from his back causing his hamstrings to be tight.”

Palmer has exceptional break to rest and recover

Cole Palmer in action for Chelsea against Southampton. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

It’s already been decided that he won’t join up with England, and Morgan Gibbs-White has taken his place. Chelsea still have more than two weeks until their next fixture, so there’s an exceptionally long time for our key man to rest both physically and mentally. After a season and a half with a Euros in the middle he looked burned out from carrying Chelsea so often, and we hope this break does wonders for him in terms of helping him recharge.

The final stretch of games for us this season is very tough, and without Palmer we will be in big trouble. Let’s hope today’s scan comes back all clear like the first one.