Enzo Maresca has indicated that Cole Palmer might return to Chelsea's lineup sooner than initially expected. However, he is unlikely to feature in the upcoming matches against Barcelona or Arsenal this
week. Palmer has been out for most of the 2025-26 season due to a groin injury and recently fractured his toe at home, delaying his comeback.
Maresca remains optimistic about Palmer's recovery, stating, "We don't know when, but for sure it will be soon. " He added that Palmer is already back on the pitch and handling the ball well. Despite this progress, Maresca does not anticipate Palmer playing against Arsenal. Chelsea currently sits 12th in the Champions League standings, tied with Barcelona on seven points.
The Blues are set to host Barcelona next in the Champions League. Historically, Chelsea has only lost once in their last nine encounters with Barcelona (W2 D6), though that defeat was a significant 0-3 loss at Camp Nou in March 2018. Estevao has emerged as a key player for Chelsea this season, drawing comparisons with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.
Up next: The Blues host Barcelona in the #UCL. pic.twitter.com/2LDy8yh1lk
- Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 24, 2025
Estevao has made an impressive start at Stamford Bridge and is Chelsea's top scorer in the Champions League this season with two goals from his first two starts. He could become the second-youngest player to score in each of his first three starts at 18 years and 215 days old, following Kylian Mbappe's record for Monaco at 18 years and 113 days.
Maresca downplayed comparisons between Estevao and other young talents like Lamine Yamal. "He is going to be an important player for sure for this club," Maresca stated. He emphasized that Estevao should focus on enjoying his game and improving himself rather than comparing himself to others.
Estevao is already performing at a high level and has secured a spot in Brazil's starting eleven. While acknowledging his youth and potential for improvement, Maresca expressed satisfaction with Estevao's contributions. "For sure he is going to be a top player for this club," he added.
Maresca also compared Estevao to players like Pedri, highlighting their appeal to football enthusiasts. "It is nice for people who love football to watch players like Estevao," he said. The manager expressed happiness about having Estevao on the team and confidence in his future success.
