BREAKING NEWS: Palmer’s injury hint, James and Fofana’s moment, and three more items that were observed in Chelsea’s training
Chelsea will host Armenian side Noah at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening, aiming to secure their third consecutive win in the UEFA Conference League. Victories over Gent and Panathinaikos have put the Blues in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages, and head coach Enzo Maresca will expect another positive result.
Ahead of the match, Chelsea’s squad trained at Cobham on Wednesday under Maresca and his coaching staff. The session’s initial 15 minutes were open to the media, offering a glimpse into the team’s preparations.
While the goalkeepers trained separately, the outfield players were divided into two groups for warm-up drills. The session also included passing, tactical, and shooting exercises. Here are three key observations from the training session, based on images shared by Chelsea’s official website and other outlets:
1. Cole Palmer Absent
Cole Palmer’s absence from training was notable and raises concerns for Chelsea fans. The midfielder also missed Tuesday’s session after sustaining a knock in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United. Palmer was fouled late in the game by Lisandro Martinez, who received a yellow card following a VAR review.
In his pre-match press conference, Maresca confirmed Palmer’s absence from training and said the club would monitor his condition. When asked about Palmer’s availability for Sunday’s clash against Arsenal, Maresca expressed hope but emphasized the need for further assessment.
Palmer is not part of Chelsea’s Conference League squad for the group stage, as the club aims to manage his workload. However, Maresca will be eager to have him fit for the upcoming Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
2. Fofana and James Boost Squad Morale
Team spirit seems high under Maresca, as evidenced by training photos showing players enjoying themselves. One notable moment captured defenders Wesley Fofana and Reece James in a friendly embrace, highlighting the positive atmosphere.
Both Fofana and James may be rested for the Noah fixture but are expected to return for the crucial game against Arsenal.
3. Opportunity for Marc Guiu
Teenager Marc Guiu was among the players training on Wednesday. Despite limited appearances this season due to competition from Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, Guiu has featured in Chelsea’s two previous Conference League matches, coming off the bench against Gent and Panathinaikos.
Guiu was seen wearing a yellow bib and working diligently during the session, suggesting he could get more playing time against Noah. Maresca may use the match as another opportunity to evaluate the promising striker.
