Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca confirms Cole Palmer’s Carabao Cup absence against Cardiff, citing player protection and workload management

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that attacker Cole Palmer will miss the club’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City on Tuesday night as the Blues manage his fitness.

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The tie, scheduled for an 8 pm kick-off in the Welsh capital, will decide a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Palmer recently returned from injury and marked his comeback by scoring in Chelsea’s Premier League win over Everton at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

However, Maresca said the 22-year-old is not yet ready to play twice within a short period.

“He’s not available to play two games in three days,” Maresca said at his pre-match press conference on Monday. “Cole is one of the players who deserves to be protected right now.”

The Chelsea coach added that Palmer is expected to be available again for the weekend’s league fixture, describing the decision as precautionary rather than injury-related.

Maresca also warned that Chelsea face a stern test against Cardiff City, praising the Championship side’s form and leadership.

“They are top of the league, playing nice football and winning games,” he said. “I know Brian Murphy and he is doing a very good job. This will be a dangerous game for us.”

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Chelsea are aiming to secure progression to the last four while maintaining squad balance amid a demanding schedule, with player management remaining a central focus of Maresca’s approach this season.