“He Can’t Play Two Games in Three Days” – Maresca Explains Palmer Absence

Enzo Maresca has revealed that Cole Palmer did not make the trip to Italy for Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Atalanta, insisting the forward must be protected after his recent injury layoff.

The Chelsea boss confirmed on Monday that the England international is being deliberately rested, a move designed to manage his return after two separate setbacks that kept him out for weeks.

Palmer’s stop-start period began with a groin issue and worsened when he broke a toe at home, delaying his comeback by an additional week. The 23-year-old only made his first start since September during Chelsea’s scoreless draw against Bournemouth on Saturday, a cautious step forward that the club is determined not to rush.

Speaking ahead of the Atalanta match, Maresca explained that Palmer’s absence is part of a carefully mapped recovery plan. The Italian described the forward as being in a sensitive phase of his return, making back-to-back matches in such a short span an unnecessary risk. According to Maresca, medical staff and coaches agreed that the safest decision was to rest him for this European fixture rather than push him too soon.

Maresca said Palmer is “part of his process” and reiterated that the priority is ensuring he does not suffer another setback. The coach stressed that “he can’t play two games in a row in three days,” underlining that the club is following a structured plan rather than reacting to short-term needs.

Palmer’s influence on the team before his injury had been undeniable, with the young attacker emerging as one of Chelsea’s most creative outlets. His absence in a Champions League week naturally raises questions about the team’s attacking strength against a strong Atalanta side. Yet Maresca’s decision suggests Chelsea are focused on the long game, placing a premium on keeping Palmer healthy for the demanding winter schedule ahead.

While Palmer’s omission dominated the headlines, Maresca also addressed the status of striker Liam Delap, who suffered a shoulder problem during the Bournemouth match. The coach delivered encouraging news by confirming that Delap did not sustain a fracture. Although the young forward will still miss the Atalanta fixture, his recovery timeline appears shorter than feared.

Chelsea now travels to Italy without two attacking options, a situation that tests the squad’s depth early in Maresca’s European campaign. With Palmer not yet ready for quick turnarounds and Delap still nursing his shoulder, the pressure shifts to other members of the frontline to step up.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Chelsea’s cautious approach pays off. For now, Maresca is betting that patience with Palmer will prevent a more serious problem down the line. The question is simple but significant: will the Blues miss his spark in Bergamo, or will this protective strategy prove a smart investment in the months ahead?