Theory Emerges Over Cole Palmer Comment to Kobbie Mainoo After Substitution
Theory Emerges Over Cole Palmer Comment to Kobbie Mainoo After Substitution
Fans think they have worked out what Chelsea star Cole Palmer said to Kobbie Mainoo after being substituted early in the first half during their Premier League clash with Manchester United.
Enzo Maresca’s side were down to 10 men after five minutes following a last-man challenge from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez on Bryan Mbeumo, and the Italian manager was forced to make multiple changes immediately.
He brought on goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen for Estevao and Tosin Adarabioyo for Pedro Neto, and Chelsea made another substitution after Bruno Fernandes’ 14th-minute opener, with Palmer taken off for midfielder Andre Santos.
While he appeared to be carrying a knock, the England international looked far from happy as he left the pitch in the 21st minute and seemed to throw something to the ground in frustration.
Palmer was also spotted speaking with United’s Mainoo before heading towards the tunnel, and fans think they know what the ex-Manchester City star was telling his England teammate.
Cole Palmer Spotted Speaking to Kobbie Mainoo
Reacting to Palmer’s touchline interaction with Mainoo, one football fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “I believe Palmer told Mainoo he has a groin injury from reading lips and he pointed to his groin area.” Another fan shared a similar view, claiming: “Looked like he told Mainoo it was his groin as he walked to the back.”
Amid heated fan reaction to Palmer’s early substitution, Maresca confirmed that the England international was taken off because of a groin injury, a problem Palmer is said to be dealing with long term.
The 23-year-old was reportedly ‘not 100% ready’ for the Man United clash on Saturday and was unable to continue after just 20 minutes of action at Old Trafford.
Chelsea are believed to have given Palmer pain injections to play, according to journalist Simon Phillips, with the attacking midfielder carrying the injury since before the Club World Cup.
While scans have apparently not shown a major problem, the England international has had continuous discomfort in his groin and has featured for just 55 minutes across Chelsea’s last four Premier League games, missing the matches against West Ham and Fulham.
Winless in their last three games across all competitions, Chelsea next face Lincoln City away in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday before taking on Brighton at home next Saturday.