Maresca suffers Champions League blow as Palmer injury update given

Mirror Football brings you some of the latest news surrounding Chelsea during the international break, including two injury bombshells

The last international break of the year is here and it provides the perfect opportunity for Chelsea to reflect on how their season has panned out so far. Enzo Maresca ’s side, despite struggling for consistency, have been impressive in the Premier League.

The Blues are currently third in the table, trailing second-placed Manchester City by just two points after sealing a thumping 3-0 victory over Wolves last time out. Their form in the Champions League has been less impressive but far from disastrous, notching two wins, one draw and a loss to put them in 12th place - inside the play-off places - in the league phase of the competition.

Following the international break, they will face Burnley away from home on November 22, before taking on Barcelona at Stamford Bridge three days later in the Champions League. Now, we take a look at two big stories surrounding the west London side ahead of those fixtures.

Injury blow for Maresca

Ahead of the crucial Champions League clash with Barcelona, the Catalans have been given a boost with regards to the injured Pedri’s potential return in time for the fixture. Spanish outlet AS reports the midfielder could make his return two weeks earlier than the original timeline set by the club’s doctors.

Pedri’s last game came in the El Clasico defeat last month, where he was sent off in stoppage time. Tests after the heated fixture found that the 22-year-old had suffered a hamstring tear.

However, his recovery is reportedly progressing very well, meaning he could return to action against Athletic Club in the first game back after the international break, which would also make him available for selection against Maresca’s Blues.

That will undoubtedly come as a blow to Chelsea given Pedri’s importance to Hansi Flick’s side, whereby he is their most dangerous playmaker and capable of dominating games from central midfield. The report also claims injured Barca duo Joan García and Raphinha are also set to be fit again in time for the crunch Champions League clash.

Cole Palmer eyes return

However, Chelsea could have their own talisman back in time for the mammoth fixture. Palmer has been injured since September, missing the last 11 games with a groin problem.

The England international limped off early in his side's defeat at Manchester United on September 20 and has not been back on the pitch since. But the Blues are hoping he will be available for selection before the end of the month.

According to the Mail, former Man City forward Palmer would love to play in such a historic showdown and is targeting the fixture as his return. It is claimed that his return to team training is ‘fairly close’.

However, the report also claims that Chelsea do not want to rush the attacker back at the risk of doing further damage. Opening up on the complexities of the injury, Maresca recently told football.london : “We need to protect Cole for sure, 100%. Not only Cole, in my personal view, because, as I said now, because of the Club World Cup or because we never stop.”