Cole Palmer didn’t start Chelsea’s win over Leeds United on Wednesday night because of an illness.
That has been confirmed by Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Cole Palmer, 21, was a surprise omission from Chelsea’s starting line-up in tonight’s FA Cup fifth round tie at home to Leeds. He did make a late 15 minute cameo performance off the bench, though.
Thankfully, Conor Gallagher popped up with a 90th minute winning goal to give the Blues a narrow 3-2 victory against the Championship opposition.
Next in the FA Cup competition, there’s a quarter-final tie at home to Leicester City.
Mauricio Pochettino has now explained why Palmer dropped down to the bench tonight against Leeds.
Eni Aluko said during a post-match interview with Pochettino on ITV 4 (9:45pm): “I have to be honest I was surprised to see the starting line-up. I thought you might go with the same team as in the final to see that reaction so I was surprised to see Cole Palmer and Gallagher on the bench.”
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Pochettino responded: “I have to tell you, Cole Palmer was sick. Chilwell with some problems and Gallagher also. It’s difficult to explain but I think we are shorter a little bit in the squad, because I think we have a big squad. Look at Enzo and Moi they are playing and playing and playing and we don’t have the players to give some rest, I know it may be a surprise but the changes are because we needed to give some rest.”
Sick Cole Palmer
Fans still got a few minutes of Palmer in action this evening, so it looks like he’s already on the mend from his sickness.
We were concerned when his name was absent from the starting line-up against Leeds, but full credit to his teammates for progressing in the cup.
Hopefully, Palmer’s feeling fit and fresh enough to start Chelsea’s league game with Brentford this Saturday afternoon.
Speaking via The Obi One Podcast recently, Eden Hazard described Palmer as a “top player”. It’s nice to see he’s not the only player who can score goals, though.
