Chelsea go into the visit of Manchester United with one important boost and a familiar problem. Cole Palmer is available again after suspension, while Maxence Lacroix has joined the injury list after pulling up at Anfield in midweek.
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Palmer missed the Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool after his red card against Tottenham. His return matters because Chelsea have lacked calm and incision in key moments, and he usually supplies both. Xabi Alonso gets one of his most decisive attackers back at the right time, with a demanding league fixture next at Stamford Bridge.
There is no need to overcomplicate it. Chelsea are better with Palmer in the side. He gives structure to attacks, carries a threat between the lines and takes responsibility when games get messy. After a poor night in the cup, that sort of presence is required against a Manchester United side that will sense vulnerability.
The bigger issue is at the back. Lacroix went off before half time against Liverpool with a hamstring problem, and Alonso made it clear the defender will be missing for a while. “Max, he picked up an injury, and we expect that he’s not going to be ready before the international break,” the Spaniard said. “So he will be a few weeks out.”
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Lacroix is the latest absentee in a squad that is already carrying too many of them. Reece James remains out until the new year after knee surgery. Joao Pedro is also unavailable, with Alonso saying: “He has an injury to his thigh, and he is going to be out for a few weeks. Let’s see how many. We don’t want to predict on that, but he is not ready for the next games.”
Jorrel Hato and Jamie Gittens are still sidelined as well, while Malo Gusto and Moises Caicedo have come through recent issues and are fit to feature. Pep Chavarria is expected back in the squad, which at least gives Chelsea another option in a stretched group.
There is some encouragement in goal. Emi Martinez could return earlier than expected after surgery on a broken jaw. He has seen a specialist over a protective mask, and Alonso said: “Yes, there is a chance. We need to still wait for next week, but let’s see how things go. But there is a chance.”
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Predicted Chelsea XI: Penders, Acheampong, Colwill, Fofana, Neto, Caicedo, Henderson, Chavarria, Palmer, Rogers, Welbeck.
For Chelsea, the equation is simple enough. Palmer is back, the injury list is still awkward, and Alonso needs a response after the cup exit. That is the state of play before Manchester United arrive.
