Enzo Maresca has admitted it is difficult for Chelsea to replace the ‘unique’ talent of Cole Palmer after the midfielder’s injury setback.
Chelsea had hoped Palmer would be fit to return from a persistent groin issue after the international break, but Maresca has revealed the 23-year-old is facing an extended spell out. The West Londoners expect Palmer to miss ‘six more weeks’ as the club look to end the ongoing issue.
Palmer’s absence is a big blow to the Blues, with Maresca admitting it is a challenge to replace ‘one of the best players in Premier League.
“To replace Cole, it is difficult. Cole is a very important player for us. One of the best players in Premier League so he is always difficult to replace,” he said at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“With what we have it depends on gameplan. Against Liverpool it was [Malo] Gusto. Against Benfica it was Enzo [Fernandez].
“We have to find another player with different qualities because we don’t have a player like Cole – he is unique.”
Elsewhere, Maresca confirmed that Levi Colwill and Liam Delap are among the other Chelsea names still sidelined.
“We have Levi [Colwill] and Liam [Delap], still out,” he said.
“Benoit [Badiashile] is out until December, it is a muscular problem. He was doing fantastic and showing why we need him, but we wait for him.
“Moises [Caicedo], Enzo, Pedro [Neto], we will see if they can train today otherwise they will be out tomorrow. [Reece James] is fully fit.”
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