Chelsea star player, Cole Palmer, was recently spotted at a League One clash between Wrexham and Stockport County. This unexpected appearance came after his withdrawal from England duty due to a knee injury.
Palmer, who grew up close to Stockport, was seen sporting a thick puffer jacket and a snood that covered much of his face. The disguise made him virtually incognito as he enjoyed watching the game from pitch side for once. The Chelsea star is currently on break from England's Nations League fixtures due to an injury picked up prior to the international break. He is now focusing on recovering in time for Chelsea's clash with Leicester City scheduled for November 23rd.
Scrutiny over absence
The recent withdrawal of nine England players, including Palmer, ahead of their Nations League clash with Greece has sparked intense scrutiny. However, it seems that Palmer may have had more legitimate reasons than most.
His injury before Chelsea's game against Arsenal was public knowledge and despite starting that match; it was evident that the injury affected his performance significantly. Deciding to take time off for recovery seemed like the best course of action for him.
Despite his current setback due to injury, Palmer has been in excellent form this season with seven goals and five assists in 13 games across all competitions so far this year - maintaining his impressive form from last season.
What next for Palmer and Chelsea?
With Chelsea currently sitting third in the Premier League table - level on points with Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Brighton - there are high expectations resting on Palmer’s shoulders when he returns back into action post-recovery.
As they prepare for their upcoming game against Leicester City next weekend; keeping pace with their rivals will be crucial if they want to maintain their position at arm’s reach from the chasing pack. Chelsea fans will be eagerly hoping that Palmer has recovered sufficiently from his injury to make a significant impact on the final result.
While Cole Palmer's unexpected appearance at Wrexham's League One clash may have surprised many, it is clear that he is using his time off wisely - focusing on recovery and enjoying football from a different perspective. His return to Chelsea post-recovery will undoubtedly be highly anticipated by both teammates and fans alike.
