Christopher Nkunku could be the player to replace Cole Palmer for Chelsea vs Arsenal(Image: (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))

Enzo Maresca already knows dream Cole Palmer replacement to unleash vs Arsenal amid injury worry

08 Nov 2024, 05:00 by Kieran Horn · football.london

Enzo Maresca is facing a big Cole Palmer decision for this Sunday's Premier League clash against Arsenal. In the final minutes of the draw with Manchester United, Palmer was on the end of a horror tackle from Lisandro Martinez with his studs going across the knee of the Blues star.

Immediately after the game, Maresca confirmed he had ice over his knee with it clear he was feeling the effects of the challenge. As it was an impact injury, there was hope that no lasting damage had been done, however that may not be the case.

"He didn't train yesterday [Tuesday], so we will see today [Wednesday] if he is able to train with us." Hopefully [he will be available for Arsenal]. We hope so. But we need to wait, we need to see and then decide," the Chelsea boss admitted in a press conference.

The 22-year-old was guaranteed to not feature in the Conference League against Noah having been left out of the squad and with the London derby not until Sunday afternoon, he has plenty of time to recover. However, Maresca has the perfect replacement for Palmer if he cannot feature.

Despite being signed 16 months ago, Christopher Nkunku is yet to make a lasting impact in a Chelsea short but that could change against Arsenal. The France international is desperate to play in behind the striker but has been limited to playing on the left in Premier League action and up top in Europe.

Given the quality of options on his squad, with Joao Felix also limited mostly to cameo roles, Maresca has been asked about their minutes on multiple occasions. "I feel shame for Christo [Nkunku] because in pre-season, he was our best player," Maresca admitted in his pre-Noah press conference.

"But because we need to adapt players, we have moved him to a striker, knowing he is not a No.9. Christo is similar to Joao [Felix]; if they continue to work in the same way, they will get minutes in the Premier League." On Felix, he continued: "I feel a shame about Joao, I would like to give him more minutes in the Premier League.

"We need defensive balance. We cannot play with Joao, Cole and Chris. I like to put all of them on the pitch but then you also have to defend. I don't have any doubts that if Joao keeps doing well, he will get minutes in the Premier League."

Felix is another potential Palmer replacement but its fair to say Nkunku has done more than the Portugal international to be deserving of that spot. Both players started Chelsea's latest clash, with Nkunku in a deep role and Felix deployed behind Marc Guiu, in Europe as they each attempt to earn more Premier League minutes.

As Chelsea raced into a 6-0 first-half lead against Armenian opposition, Felix was on target twice with Guiu, Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi also among the goals. Nkunku was able to get on the score sheet though as he netted twice in the second half to help Chelsea seal a stunning 8-0 win.

Therefore, Nkunku will be the likely one deployed ahead of Palmer, if unfit, for the Arsenal game, with the 26-year-old in his most natural role and thus in a position to make an impact if selected.

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