Cole Palmer is a doubt for Chelsea’s Premier League match against Arsenal, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, after limping out of Old Trafford at the weekend with a knee injury.

Manager Enzo Maresca branded Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez’s challenge on the 22-year-old during Sunday’s 1-1 draw as “not normal” and admitted there is a risk of the England international missing the London derby.

Palmer has not trained since the incident, which occurred in stoppage time and earned Martinez a yellow card, and is ineligible for Thursday’s Conference League match at home against FC Noah.

“He didn’t train (on Tuesday), we’ll see today if he can train with us,” Maresca said.

“Hopefully he will be ready (for Arsenal), but we have to wait and see and then decide.”

Sunday, November 10, 4:00 p.m.

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Asked if there was a chance Palmer would miss Sunday’s game at Stamford Bridge, he said: “Yes, for sure. He hasn’t trained the last two days. It’s pretty clear that the tackle wasn’t normal. But I hope he can be good”. back.”

Palmer has been the standout player during Maresca’s first four months in charge, scoring seven goals and establishing himself as the creative heart of the team.

‘Joao Félix will have his moment in PL’

Maresca is likely to use Thursday’s match against Armenian Noah to evaluate alternatives and major changes to the lineup are expected.

Jadon Sancho is not among those available after he missed the match at Old Trafford due to illness and has since suffered a knock, although Joao Félix is ​​one player who will be hoping to take advantage of the match to claim a starting place against the Arsenal.

The £42million summer signing is yet to start in the league and was not called up from the bench against United.

“I feel ashamed for Joao,” Maresca said.

“I would like to give him more minutes in the Premier League, but we need defensive balance and we cannot play with Joao, Cole, Christo (Christopher Nkunku).

“I would like to put them all on the field, but you also have to defend. You need the right balance between the two phases, attacking and defending.

“This is the only reason. I have no doubt that if (Félix) continues to work well he will find his moment in the Premier League.”

‘Players have to adapt’

Felix is ​​one of several major acquisitions fighting for league minutes under Maresca.

Enzo Fernandez, signed for £106m less than two years ago, has been on the bench for the last three games, while Nkunku, who arrived for £55m, has played second fiddle to Nicolas Jackson.

The French international is the club’s top scorer with eight, having made the most of his starts in the Conference League and Carabao Cup, underscoring Maresca’s difficulty in spreading starts among his 24-man squad.

“Every time (Nkunku) plays, he scores,” Maresca said.

“He was probably our best player in the preseason. He played as an attacking midfielder, now we use him as a nine. We all know that is not his position, he is more of a second striker who plays between the lines.

“But I try to find solutions and balance. I can understand that not everyone can be in their position, they have to adapt a little. Everyone deserves more opportunities in the Premier League, but we have more players who deserve them.”