Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer was sick for 2 days however requested to play towards Leicester Metropolis earlier than failing to attain from the penalty spot for the primary time in his profession within the Premier League on Sunday.
Palmer’s early spot kick was brilliantly saved by Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, ending the England worldwide’s good document of 12 profitable penalties for the membership.
The previous Manchester Metropolis midfielder was proven figuring out with Chelsea’s squad in a fitness center and embracing team-mate Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor whereas laughing on Saturday, however Maresca described the 22-year-old as “utterly out within the final two days”.
“Fever,” Maresca stated, through The Athletic, after Chelsea beat his former membership 1-0 by Marc Cucurella’s Sixtieth-minute strike from distance at Stamford Bridge.
“Is it one thing I can say in English? Diarrhoea. [On Saturday], he didn’t prepare and in the course of the evening he didn’t really feel effectively. This morning, he awoke and he requested me, ‘I need to be on the pitch as a result of I need to assist this crew, this membership to [qualify for the] Champions League’.”
💪😁 pic.twitter.com/h0pR2S6hcM
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 8, 2025
Cole Palmer sickness: ‘He didn’t prepare’
Palmer is Chelsea’s talisman however was surprisingly substituted after the break as their 2023/24 Participant of the Season went a ninth recreation and not using a objective.
Maresca stated Palmer had headed straight down the tunnel to make use of the bathroom however swiftly returned. “Within the final 48 hours, he didn’t prepare with the fever and this unhealthy feeling,” stated the Italian.
“This morning, he requested to play the sport, and this reveals how these gamers need to convey the membership the place it belongs to.”
Cole Palmer’s good Premier League document from the spot involves an finish towards Leicester! ❌ pic.twitter.com/SaM8ZzRGdE
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 9, 2025
Chelsea Champions League chase
Chelsea’s win despatched them above Manchester Metropolis to fourth within the desk – the ultimate place that may assure Champions League soccer subsequent season.
Fifth place appears prone to be sufficient to qualify due to competitors organisers UEFA’s coefficient rankings, which award further locations to nations based mostly on the mixed performances of golf equipment from every nation in Europe over the season.
Chelsea are at the moment within the spherical of 16 of the Convention League, however Maresca has routinely been requested whether or not he has been instructed to qualify for the Champions League since taking up final July.
The Blues final competed within the competitors in 2022/23, dropping to Actual Madrid within the quarter-finals. They had been champions in 2011/12 and 2020/21.
