No shortage of Chelsea FC news, of all varieties, as the weekend Premier League fixture at Wolves approaches. Team talisman Cole Palmer had an injury scare Thursday night, when he came up limping in the 2-0 UEFA Europa League playoff win at home over Servette. So there is injury news. There is also transfer news, with Joao Felix now back in, while Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are working on their exit strategies.
So let’s break it out down here, quickly and efficiently, starting with Cole Palmer.
Chelsea FC at Wolverhampton Wanderers FYIs
Kick: Sun. Aug 25, 2pm, Molineux Stadium
Chelsea Preview Material: Starting XI Prediction Team News
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: Chelsea 55% Wolves 22% Draw 23%
PL Form, Standing: Chelsea L 17th, 0 pts, -2GD Wolves L 19th, 0 pts, -2GD
Blues Team News
Palmer should be fine, to feature here, as he told reporters in the mixed-zone, who asked him about his injury situation: “All good, I’m fine.” As for Felix, who spent the back half of the 2022-23 season at Stamford Bridge, is signed, sealed, delivered (if we can make a Stevie Wonder reference here), but likely won’t play.
“In terms of knowing the way we want to play, probably not yet,” manager Enzo Maresca responded when asked about Felix’s availability.
“In terms of physicality, I think he is ready because he was already playing games there [at Atletico Madrid]. So it is just to understand if he needs more time to understand the way we want to play, but overall I think he can play.”
Meanwhile, on Sterling and Chilwell, the manager said the following:
“I am not saying Raheem is not a good player, but I prefer different kinds of wingers. They [Sterling and Ben Chilwell] are training apart.
“The situation with both of them is quite clear. We have a big squad and it’s impossible to give all of them minutes. If they are looking for minutes it’s better for them to leave. I try to be honest.”
Meanwhile team captain Reece James (thigh) is out injured, and would be ineligible here, even if he were fit. Djordje Petrovic (unspecified) and Omari Kellyman (undisclosed) also remain out.
Pedro Neto is another major storyline here, as he could feature against his old club, for the first time, after impressing on Thursday.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.