The key facts

  • Cole Palmer will miss the match against Liverpool due to a suspension after his sending-off in the game against Tottenham.
  • Chelsea head coach Xavi Alonso confirmed that forward Joao Pedro is out for several weeks with a hip injury.
  • Despite the sending-off, Palmer maintains good relations with the team and is aware of his mistakes.

The Cole Palmer situation

Chelsea head coach Xavi Alonso confirmed that English forward Cole Palmer has recognized the mistakes that led to his sending-off in the match against Tottenham and is ready to avoid repeating them. The incident occurred in the 80th minute of the game, when Palmer received a second yellow card for a challenge on Conor Gallagher, contributing to the London side's 0:2 defeat. The coach noted that the 24-year-old player is in a good psychological state, maintains social ties with the team and understands the importance of discipline, but due to his suspension he will miss the upcoming League Cup match against Liverpool.

Joao Pedro's injury

In addition to the disciplinary problems, the club has also lost a key player in Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, who will be out for several weeks with a hip injury. According to Xavi Alonso, the player felt discomfort during a training session, and fluid buildup was found in a muscle. No exact recovery timeline has been given, but the coach stressed that Pedro will not be ready for the upcoming matches, forcing the team to restructure its play without one of the season's top scorers, who has scored five Premier League goals.