Enzo Maresca has said Cole Palmer is being protected for Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Atalanta.
Palmer, who has struggled with a recurring groin injury this season, was absent from training ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Bergamo.
Standard Sport understands this was part of a tailored fitness plan and not due to injury, but Maresca revealed in his pre-match press conference that Palmer had not travelled with the rest of the squad as the club looks to manage his minutes.
“Cole, it's part of the process at the moment. He can't play two games in three days. It's a way to protect him."
Liam Delap was taken off in the first half of Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday after landing awkwardly on his shoulder following a tussle with Cherries defender Marcos Senesi.
Delap was replaced by Marc Guiu and headed straight down the tunnel, with Maresca admitting that the injury looked ‘quite bad’ in his post-match comments.
Ahead of Tuesday’s match, Maresca provided an update on the 22-year-old, stating has not suffered any fracture but does not know how long the forward will be sidelined for.
"Liam, as I said, he has not fractured anything. How long he will be out? Not sure, to be honest."
Delap has only just returned from a hamstring injury, which had kept him out since the end of August, but he is now set for another prolonged period on the sidelines.
Maresca added: "We had Liam two month out, Joao plays as a No.9, Pedro Neto too, also Tyrique as a No.9. We try to find solution.
“We know Liam needs to play games to be fit and be better and better. Now unfortunately he is again out."
