Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino took Cole Palmer off in the second half of the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Sheffield United.
Cole Palmer has been Chelsea‘s best player this season, scoring 16 goals in the Premier League.
The attacker has also registered nine assists, with his latest coming at Bramall Lane today.
Given the above, then, some would have been surprised to have seen Mauricio Pochettino withdraw Palmer from the game.
The Argentine has now shared whether he is actually injured or not. By setting up Noni Madueke’s excellent goal, the 21-year-old has now done something that no Chelsea player has accomplished since Eden Hazard in 2019.
Mauricio Pochettino on whether Cole Palmer is actually injured
Chelsea cannot afford to be without Palmer.
The Blues have a huge game against Manchester City later this month, with a place in the FA Cup final at stake.
Fortunately, it does not look like there is anything for Chelsea supporters to worry about.
When asked if Palmer is injured, Pochettino told football.london and other outlets: “No, no, no.”
The Argentine is already without so many of his players. Losing Palmer would have been a major setback to say the least.
Have Chelsea become a one-man team?
It is not an accusation that Pochettino can deny right now. Without the Englishman, his side would probably be in the relegation zone.
You only have to look at how he dragged them out of the gutter against Manchester United on Thursday to know that.
Palmer, of course, scored two penalties that night. In fact, a lot of his goals have been from the spot this term.
It does not change the fact that Chelsea rely on him heavily, perhaps too much. They now look like they cannot survive without the England international. Fans will be desperate for Palmer to remain fit from now until the end of the season.