Enzo Maresca has revealed that Cole Palmer was unwell in the days leading up to Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Leicester City, which saw the midfielder miss a penalty for the first time in his career. Despite feeling unwell, Palmer insisted on playing as Chelsea aimed to solidify their position in the Premier League’s top four.
Chelsea managed to edge past Leicester, with Marc Cucurella scoring a stunning second-half goal to secure all three points. However, the Stamford Bridge crowd was left in shock when Palmer, known for his reliability from the spot, failed to convert a penalty in the 19th minute.
The opportunity came after Jadon Sancho was brought down by Victor Kristiansen inside the box. Having scored all 17 of his previous penalties for club and country, Palmer stepped up confidently but saw his shot saved by Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who guessed correctly and dived to his left.
Palmer’s form has dipped in recent weeks, with the attacking midfielder now going nine consecutive games without a goal contribution. His struggles continued in Sunday’s match, and after missing several key chances, he was substituted in the 73rd minute.
After the game, Maresca defended Palmer, revealing that he had been suffering from fever and diarrhea for the past two days. The Chelsea manager explained that the 22-year-old had missed training entirely but still pushed to play, wanting to help his team in their push for a Champions League spot.
Maresca praised Palmer’s commitment, emphasizing the effort he made to be on the pitch despite his poor health. He reassured fans that while Palmer’s penalty was saved, he remains a top player and will score plenty more in the future. The coach also acknowledged the difficulty of preparing for Leicester, as their tactical approach differed from expectations.
Palmer’s illness likely contributed to his struggles in front of goal, but Maresca remains confident in his abilities. With Chelsea set to face Copenhagen in the second leg of their Conference League last-16 tie on Thursday, the club will hope their playmaker is back to full fitness and ready to make an impact.