Palmer set to miss England games as Gibbs-White added

Cole Palmer, according to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, is likely to miss England’s World Cup qualifying games against Albania and Latvia due to a muscular injury.

Palmer was forced out of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal because of the injury he picked up during training.

Morgan Gibbs-White, a midfielder for Nottingham Forest, was later added to England’s squad.

Palmer missed his first Premier League game since April 2024, and Maresca believes it’s unlikely that the 22-year-old will join Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

After Sunday’s defeat, Maresca said, “I don’t think he will be fit for England.”

“His injury was sustained during yesterday’s session. The scan is scheduled for Monday morning because it is a muscular issue.

On Sunday, Chelsea were without winger Noni Madueke and striker Nicolas Jackson in addition to Parker.

“It makes a significant difference. None of the three players were on the field, according to Maresca, who are the three who have the most goals for us.

“For two of them, it’s already been a long time since they were ex.” It’s normal for us to have a little bit of an offensive struggle.

We have the second or third best attacking position in the league, in my opinion, up until this point. We’re doing well with the other players, but we could do better with the current injured players.

Maresca believes a rest may help Palmer rediscover his best form after scoring 14 goals and six assists in 20 of Chelsea’s 53 league goals this season.

“We don’t wish for a player’s injury, but in Cole’s case at this point, probably give him some rest physically and mentally,” added Maresca.