Chelsea have received a significant fitness boost ahead of their Premier League encounter with Aston Villa, with manager Enzo Maresca delivering a positive update on star player Cole Palmer and confirming the return of two others.
Palmer Primed for Full Match Role
In a major lift for the Blues, Maresca has declared that Cole Palmer is now ready to complete a full 90 minutes if required. This marks a rapid progression for the key attacker, who was carefully managed after experiencing groin discomfort.
"I think he's ready for 90 minutes, yeah," Maresca stated. "The progression for a player is 45, one hour, 70. He already played one hour against Everton. He played more than 70 against Newcastle. I think the progression is there."
Palmer featured for 79 minutes in last weekend's comeback draw at Newcastle United, building on his previous hour-long appearance. The manager had previously expressed caution over the player's ability to feature twice weekly, making this update particularly welcome.
Double Return for Blues Attack
Further bolstering Chelsea's options, Maresca confirmed that both young attacker Estevao and striker Liam Delap are available for selection against Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Estevao had missed Chelsea's previous two matches with a minor issue, while Delap has been absent since early December with what appeared to be a serious shoulder problem. His imminent return suggests the injury was less severe than first feared.
"He [Estevao] is back, he's available for Saturday, him and also Liam Delap," the Chelsea manager confirmed.
Squad Status and Transfer Brief
In other squad news, Dario Essugo has resumed training following surgery several months ago. However, midfielder Romeo Lavia remains unavailable after sustaining a fresh muscle problem in the Champions League match against Qarabag.
Defender Levi Colwill continues as a long-term absentee as he recovers from an ACL injury suffered during pre-season.
Maresca also briefly addressed transfer speculation, following Chelsea's enquiry for Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. The club reportedly decided against a January move, a decision the manager declined to discuss in detail.
"I'm focused on Aston Villa. Not on players who can arrive and leave," he said. "I'm in love with the squad we have." The visit of Bournemouth after Villa could mark Semenyo's final appearance for the Cherries.
Chelsea now face a run where nine of their next ten matches across all competitions are in London. After hosting Villa and Bournemouth to conclude 2025, their only fixture outside the capital until late January is a trip to Manchester City on January 28th.
