There was surprise all around when Cole Palmer was named on the subs bench for Chelsea’s game on Sunday.
In the end it was clearly more because of fatigue and rotation than it was because of injury, although Mauricio Pochettino did explain that his player had “felt something” in the build up to the game.
In the end, he came on as a sub in the latter stages and looked absolutely fine. The Evening Standard list his status to return against Manchester United tomorrow as “unknown,” but it sounds very likely to us.
Instead, with two games in a week for the first time in a while, we could see changes in other positions, however.
The good news is a return for the suspended Reece James and Marc Cucurella, although Conor Gallagher’s absence creates new headaches for Pochettino.
Could we maybe see Palmer used deeper in midfield in place of Gallagher tomorrow?
Gallagher is replaceable, more important players than him has not been playing for injuries they sustained.