According to a report, Chelsea are anxiously awaiting an update on Cole Palmer’s knee injury after a late challenge from Lisandro Martínez in their recent 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
The incident occurred in the third minute of the four minutes of added time, yet while it may not have changed the game’s outcome, it could carry significant implications if Palmer is forced to miss future matches.
Following the game, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca expressed concern about Palmer’s injury, stating, “He was there in the changing room with ice. We are waiting now. Hopefully, it is nothing important.”
Maresca’s worry reflects the potential seriousness of the injury to Palmer, who has been a standout performer for Chelsea. As Chelsea waits for the medical team’s assessment, the uncertainty looms over whether Palmer will face time on the sidelines.
Maresca was also vocal about his thoughts on Martínez’s challenge, believing the tackle warranted a red card. “I think it is quite clear almost for all of us, but the referees there did not take the decision and they made a different decision,” he stated.
“For me, when there is no intention to go for the ball and he goes for the player. It’s a red. [...] I think it is quite clear it is a red.”
The Chelsea manager’s frustration stemmed from his perception that Martínez’s actions showed no intent to play the ball, making the tackle dangerous enough to merit a harsher penalty.
However, the Premier League defended the decision to only issue a yellow card, describing the tackle as “reckless” but not amounting to “serious foul play.”
This explanation stirred debate among Chelsea fans and football pundits, as many believed the challenge was severe enough to be reviewed more stringently by the VAR officials. The league’s stance was that although the tackle was rough, it didn’t meet the threshold for a red card.
As Chelsea continues to monitor Palmer’s condition, the team and fans alike remain hopeful that he will recover quickly and that the injury will prove less serious than initially feared.
For now, Chelsea supporters are left crossing their fingers, awaiting news on Palmer’s fitness and the potential impact his absence could have on the squad’s upcoming fixtures.
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