Chelsea could be without top scorer Cole Palmer for Tuesday’s clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal, with the forward struggling to recover from illness, manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Monday.
“Today, no [he cannot play],” Pochettino told a news conference. “We will see tomorrow morning. Today, I don’t believe he can be involved.
“Even if he is good tomorrow, maybe he is not in a condition to play. We hope he can recover from this situation and be involved with the team.”
The 21-year-old player, who participated in Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup semifinal loss to Manchester City, has been a standout performer amid a challenging debut season under Pochettino.
Palmer has emerged as one of the top scorers in the Premier League this season, tallying 20 goals, a feat he shares with City’s Erling Haaland.
His potential absence would pose a setback for Chelsea as they strive to maintain their aspirations of securing a spot in European competition.
Conversely, it could provide a significant advantage for Arsenal as they pursue their first league title in two decades.
Additionally, doubts surround defenders Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell ahead of the upcoming derby at the Emirates, as confirmed by Pochettino.
With 47 points from 31 matches, Chelsea currently occupy ninth place in the league standings, trailing seventh-placed Manchester United by three points but holding a game in hand.