Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca played down injury concerns regarding Cole Palmer following Thursday night's 2-0 win over Servette in the UEFA Conference League.
Palmer didn't start the game at Stamford Bridge but came off the bench in the second half and later appeared to be in discomfort, holding his right hamstring, as he left the pitch at full-time.
With 22 goals and 11 assists in 33 Premier League appearances for Chelsea last season, losing the newly crowned PFA Young Player of the Year for any length of time would be a disaster.
Cole Palmer straight down the tunnel at full-time and was wincing as he walked off. Was holding the back of his thigh. Hopefully nothing too serious. pic.twitter.com/o3pYabTcEg
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 22, 2024
It was first on the agenda as Maresca faced the press afterwards, but he was fully calm.
"Cole felt something but he looks fine," the Italian coach explained. "Hopefully it is no problem and he can be available for Sunday's game [at Wolves]."
Against Servette, it was a raw performance from a Chelsea side still trying to figure itself out, led by a manager who probably, understandably so, doesn't know his best team.
The Blues could have scored more at Stamford Bridge, but they equally could have conceded several themselves on another night. Ultimately, a 2-0 victory gets the ball rolling, both in the season - having lost their Premier League opener last weekend, and the Maresca era in general.
"We are learning how to manage the game," the boss said. "Keeping the ball is the correct intention at 2-0 up but where is not good, in our half. We need to do the same on the opposite side. It was important to win the game with nine changes. There were many good things."
Chelsea will travel to Switzerland next week for the return against Servette, with a place in the Conference League group stage at stake. Before then, it's Wolves away at Molineux in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. It's only August, but the calendar is biting already.