Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has provided clarity on why forward Cole Palmer was left out of the matchday squad for the Blues’ UEFA Champions League encounter against Pafos on Wednesday night.
Chelsea secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, with midfielder Moises Caicedo rising late in the contest to head home the decisive goal and ensure maximum points for the hosts.
Palmer’s omission raised eyebrows among supporters, given his importance to the team this season, but Rosenior explained after the match that the decision was purely precautionary. According to the Chelsea boss, the England international experienced tightness in his thigh during pre-match assessments, prompting the technical crew to err on the side of caution.
“Cole felt a little bit of tightness in his thigh,” Rosenior told reporters after the game. “Because of that, we decided not to take any risks. He just misses out, but there is no major concern.”
The Chelsea manager also offered reassurance to fans ahead of the club’s upcoming Premier League fixture, expressing confidence that Palmer will be available when the Blues face Crystal Palace this weekend.
“He should be absolutely fine for Sunday,” Rosenior added, suggesting the player’s absence was a short-term measure rather than an injury setback.
The victory over Pafos strengthened Chelsea’s position in the Champions League standings, with the London club now sitting eighth on 13 points. That places them in the final automatic qualification spot for the Round of 16 heading into the last set of group matches.
With qualification still finely balanced, Rosenior will be hoping to have a full squad available as Chelsea aim to secure their place among Europe’s elite and avoid the uncertainty of the knockout phase play-offs.
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