Chelsea team news vs Man Utd as Cole Palmer plan clear after Enzo Maresca update

Enzo Maresca has delivered an update on Cole Palmer before Chelsea play Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday evening. Palmer featured for the full 90 minutes against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night, scoring their only goal in the 3-1 loss.

That marked the first match he has completed since picking up a groin injury last month. Palmer's comeback came as a second-half substitute during the 2-2 drawn with Brentford in their previous league outing.

However, more than a month after sustaining that setback whilst warming up to face West Ham United, the concern appears to have passed. "Cole is OK," Maresca responded when quizzed whether his player was fit.

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The head coach then revealed additional team news before the weekend's fixture during his press conference on Friday morning. "We have a session now," Maresca acknowledged, "we flew back yesterday.

"We need to assess some players; we have some doubts. We didn't have a session since Wednesday's game, but we will see."

Maresca did reveal more when questioned about Alejandro Garnacho confronting his former club for the first time. "In the last two games, he was very good when he came on," the Chelsea boss said.

"So we are happy with the way he has adapted to our style and what we want from the winger. I think he is ready to start."

Estevao Willian, however, is a player who requires more time to develop. "Estevao can be great in all of the attacking positions," Maresca conceded when asked about his potential. "His talent is very good, he is a top player, but he is 18. He needs time."

Maresca, meanwhile, confirmed that Marc Guiu remains part of their plans. "The reason why he is back [from being on loan at Sunderland] is because we intend to use him," the coach said. "He needs to do things better and improve things, but for sure, we are going to use him."

That is not the case for Axel Disasi or Raheem Sterling, though. "I've been in Raheem's situation and Axel's situation as a player," Maresca said.

"I know it is not the best feeling. You want to play games, but for different reasons, the situation is the way it is at the moment.

"The club is giving them the opportunity to work in the right way. That's all I can say.

"I know it is something you like and want to talk about. It's not just Chelsea, it's every club in the world. When, for any reason, the player and the club do not find any solution, you give the player the tools to train, but if you are not involved in the squad, you are not involved in the squad."

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