Cole Palmer a major doubt for Chelsea clash against Arsenal due to illness as Mauricio Pochettino gives update
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Updated 22/04/2024 at 16:28 GMT
Mauricio Pochettino admitted Cole Palmer is a major doubt for Chelsea’s Premier League game against Arsenal on Tuesday at the Emirates, which is live on TNT Sports and discovery+. The 21-year-old has been in fine form for his club this season, scoring 25 goals in all competitions since moving to Stamford Bridge last summer. Chelsea are ninth in the table, while Arsenal sit top on goal difference.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on April 20, 2024.
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea could be without top scorer Cole Palmer for their away trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Tuesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Palmer has been Chelsea's standout player this season having found the net 25 times in all competitions.
He played all 90 minutes of the 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City on Saturday but has since been struck down by illness.
Asked if he thought the 21-year-old would be fit in time to feature at the Emirates, Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino said: “Today, no.
"We need to assess him tomorrow morning. But today, no, I don't believe he can be involved, but we need to assess him tomorrow and then we can decide.
“Even if he will be good tomorrow, maybe he is not in a condition to play. I hope he can recover from this situation as soon as possible and be involved again with the team.”
Given the form he’s been in since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer, Palmer's absence would be a big loss for Chelsea as they bid to salvage what they can from a disappointing campaign.
The Blues are currently ninth in the table as they attempt to clinch a spot in Europe next season, but Pochettino insists there is enough quality in the squad to cope without Palmer.
“With or without, we believe that we can win,” Pochettino added. “The most important thing is the team, the collective.
“Of course, he is an important part of the team. He is doing fantastic for us, but this is Chelsea and there are plenty of players who can perform and do the job also.”
Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell are also being assessed ahead of the clash against Arsenal, who currently top the table on goal difference from Liverpool, with Man City a point adrift in third with a game in hand.
Arsenal are looking to lift a first domestic crown in 20 years but suffered a setback when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Aston Villa earlier this month.
The Gunners bounced back with a victory away to Wolves last time out but manager Mikel Arteta is well aware of the challenge awaiting them.
“I think they deserve to be in a much higher position in the league, when you look at what they’ve done and what they’ve produced in games – they’ve reached a final, they’ve reached a semi-final, they could have been through,” Arteta said.
“I think what Mauricio is doing is really impressive, so I’m sure that he’s going to get them there.”
Arteta was asked about the task of nullifying a Chelsea side without Palmer, saying: “I don’t know. We have no control over their player’s availability. We can only control ours.
“Whoever they put out there, when you look at the squad they have, the quality they have, it’s great. I think they’re doing very, very well.
“I think they’re doing much better than people talk and it will be a tough match for sure.”
How to watch Arsenal v Chelsea
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