Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is set to be fit for this weekend's Premier League clash with Bournemouth. The 24-year-old has overcome a minor muscular problem that forced him to withdraw from the England squad during the recent international break.
Palmer pulled out of the Nations League squad due to the issue, travelling to the Caribbean to work individually with a specialist fitness coach. He has now reportedly overcome the setback and is confident of starting at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The attacker has registered four goals and two assists for Chelsea already this season, making his availability a significant boost for the hosts. His return is key for a Chelsea side that has scored just 8 goals in its opening 5 league matches, averaging a goal every 56 minutes of play, and which has taken only 8 points from a possible 15.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel had expressed frustration over Palmer's recurring absences from international duty. "It is a missed opportunity," Tuchel said. "He misses too many opportunities." Palmer was recalled to the England party for the recent Nations League matches but was unable to participate.
Chelsea's injury list
While Palmer is set to return, Chelsea have several other fitness concerns. Club captain Reece James is battling a hamstring issue, while midfielder Moises Caicedo has managed only 14 minutes of action this term due to a calf injury. Summer signing Marco Palestra, a £47 million arrival from Atalanta, has yet to make his competitive debut due to a quadriceps problem, though he is believed to be nearing full fitness. Forward Joao Pedro is also a doubt after missing Chelsea's last match and Brazil's recent friendlies with a knee issue.
The challenge for Bournemouth
Bournemouth travel to London sitting 17th in the Premier League table with three points from their opening five matches. Their most recent result was a 1-0 home defeat to Liverpool on 20 September. Andoni Iraola's side will be looking to build on a recent 2-1 away win at Real Sociedad in the Europa Conference League as they face a Chelsea team languishing in tenth place. The Cherries' recent form shows they have conceded 12 goals in the league, at a rate of one every 38 minutes.
Recent encounters between the sides have been tight. Last season, the teams played out a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge and a goalless stalemate at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth's next assignment is this trip to Chelsea, with kick-off scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
The report in full is at metro.co.uk
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed Cole Palmer's absence from England duty was for "load management" and that he will play against Bournemouth. The club also expects Reece James, Marco Palestra, Emmanuel Emegha and Mike Penders to be available for the fixture. Bournemouth, 17th in the Premier League with three points from five games, travel to face a Chelsea side that could be without Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens.
