Most Chelsea fans rightly feared the worst when Cole Palmer missed the London derby against Arsenal in midweek.
An eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions had already been broken by the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, but then Mauricio Pochettino’s side were battered beyond recognition at the Emirates Stadium, conceding four second-half goals at 5: 0 loss.
There was little desire or enthusiasm from the visiting Blues as they were without their star summer signing, who has scored 20 of their 61 Premier League goals so far this season. Chelsea return to action on Saturday evening, but will Palmer be fit enough to take part?
Here’s what we know so far about Palmer’s fitness ahead of FPL Gameweek 35.
After appearing in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to his former club Man City at Wembley, it was considered unlikely that Palmer would play in midweek after it emerged he was struggling with illness and not could train.
He was joined on the sidelines by the injured Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto, adding to an already huge absence list that includes the likes of Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku and Reece James.
In a press conference on Monday before the Arsenal defeat, Pochettino said: “We will see tomorrow, we have to make an assessment tomorrow morning. But today I don’t think he can be involved, but we have to assess him tomorrow and then we decide.
“If he feels well tomorrow, he might not be in condition to play. I hope that he recovers from this situation and can be integrated back into the team as quickly as possible.”
Good news for Chelsea fans is that coach Pochettino revealed in Friday’s press conference that he expects Palmer to return to the squad for Saturday’s game against Champions League chasers Aston Villa.
He revealed: “We assume that he [Palmer] will be available and part of the squad, yes.
“Cole is a very good player for us, a key player for us and he shows that we are struggling a little without him.”
After the heavy defeat to Arsenal, the former Tottenham manager refused to claim his side’s defeat against the Gunners was due to Palmer’s absence.
He added: “We can’t say that was the reason we lost the game, but we are losing a player who is a creative player who helps hold the team together. We are losing players and that has made it very difficult for the management. But I think today. “Moreover, it was difficult to be in the game.
“Where Arsenal is, we have to be too. We’re talking too much this season and all the information we’re getting now says we want to be in a different position next season.”
Palmer is the highest scoring midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League this season with 208 points, only Ollie Watkins managed more with his 217 points.
The England international started the 2023/24 season priced at just £5 million, but his exceptional performances have seen the price tag now rise to £6.2 million. It’s still a bargain, but there are legitimate options to consider if the daunting trip to Villa Park convinces you to look elsewhere.
Eberechi Eze (£6.1m) has hit double figures twice in his last three appearances for Crystal Palace, with two goals and an assist against Liverpool and West Ham. It’s also hard to ignore his teammate Michael Olise (£5.6m), who has also helped the Eagles win three games in a row. The upcoming games against Fulham and Manchester United are expected to be full of goals, making the duo attractive targets for the weekend.
Leandro Trossard (£6.5m) scored twice in two games against Wolves and Chelsea in Gameweek 34. However, it is uncertain whether he will be in the starting line-up again at Tottenham.