EPL: Maresca Confirms Three Chelsea Stars Ruled Out of Fulham Clash

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer will miss Saturday’s West London derby against Fulham at Stamford Bridge, alongside Benoît Badiashile and Romeo Lavia.

Palmer picked up an injury during the warm-up before Chelsea’s emphatic 5-1 victory over West Ham last Friday and has since been sidelined.

Providing an update during his pre-match press conference, Maresca said:

 “Cole [Palmer] is out, Benoît [Badiashile] is out, Romeo [Lavia] is out. The rest are okay.

We need to see day by day with Palmer. For Romeo and Benoît, I don’t think they will be back immediately after the international break, but they will be closer.”

Maresca also explained Palmer’s absence from Gareth Southgate’s England squad, clarifying that it was purely due to fitness issues.

 “I spoke to Thomas [Tuchel], but in the end it was his decision. Cole is not available tomorrow, so it’s normal that he was not selected [for England]. He still has some problems.”

Chelsea will now face Fulham without three key players, as Maresca looks to extend his side’s strong start to the season.