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Chelsea Palmer Avoids Surgery for Groin Injury, Maresca Confirms
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer will not need immediate surgery on a groin injury that forced him off during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United, manager Enzo Maresca said Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Palmer, 23, has been dealing with the problem for several weeks and managed only 21 minutes at Old Trafford before leaving the pitch. The setback has raised concerns over the England international’s fitness as Chelsea prepare for a busy run of matches.
Maresca, however, moved to calm fears of a long-term absence.
“The medical staff didn’t mention to me about surgery,” Maresca told reporters. “I don’t know if in the next days or the next weeks, but I don’t think so, to be honest.”
The Italian coach said Palmer was determined to play against United despite being less than fully fit.
“He made a huge effort on Saturday to try to play the game,” Maresca said. “He did the test, and he was OK, but not 100 percent. He wanted to be there to help his teammates. Unfortunately, it was painful, so we decided to change it. Now it’s more day-by-day, week-by-week, game-by-game to see how it is and then decide what we do.”
Set to Miss League Cup Match
Palmer is expected to sit out Chelsea’s League Cup third-round tie on Tuesday at Lincoln City, a League One club currently enjoying strong form.
Chelsea will also be without midfielder Romeo Lavia and defender Benoit Badiashile, leaving Maresca with limited options for the trip.
The coach suggested he may turn to Chelsea’s youth academy to fill gaps in the squad, but admitted the approach carries risk in a knockout competition.
“These are the games that worry me most, because you can slip up very easily,” Maresca said. “Football is full of these kinds of games, and I am very worried about that.”
Key Player for Chelsea
Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023, has been one of the team’s most important players over the past year. His creativity and ability to score in big matches helped Chelsea finish strongly last season and earned him a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024.
This season, injuries have limited his impact. He has started only two Premier League matches and has yet to complete a full 90 minutes.
Chelsea fans will be hoping Palmer avoids a lengthy spell on the sidelines. With the club competing in the Premier League, domestic cups and European football, his presence is seen as vital to Maresca’s first campaign in charge.
Injury Concerns Pile Up
Palmer’s setback adds to a growing list of fitness issues at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have struggled with injuries to key players over the past two seasons, a problem that has disrupted consistency on the pitch.
Maresca, who took over as manager in the summer, has emphasized the need for patience as he builds a team capable of challenging for trophies. But he acknowledged that squad depth will be tested in the coming weeks.
Looking Ahead
For now, Chelsea are focusing on their midweek trip to Lincoln, followed by a return to Premier League action at home next weekend.
Palmer’s condition will continue to be monitored by medical staff, with updates expected before the next league fixture.
While surgery is not on the table, the decision to manage the injury on a game-by-game basis means Maresca faces uncertainty over when his star forward will return at full strength.
“Cole is very important for us,” Maresca said. “We need him, but we also need to protect him. It’s a balance, and we will see how he improves.”
In response to ongoing bandit attacks, the Nigerian military has reportedly taken full control of security operations in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The army stated that criminal elements would find no safe haven in the area.
This move follows an appeal by Governor Bala Mohammed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention after armed bandits invaded communities in Alkaleri LGA.
On Tuesday, the governor received Major General Eyitayo Foluso Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army, at the Government House in Bauchi.
The GOC explained that his visit was in line with directives from the Chief of Defence Staff to take direct supervision of military operations in Alkaleri following recent security breaches.
He added that the deployment of additional troops aimed to restore lasting peace to the affected communities.
Assuring the governor of a robust military response, the GOC said proactive and coordinated strategies were being employed to eliminate criminal elements and prevent further attacks. Both kinetic and non-kinetic measures are reportedly in place to restore normalcy.
According to him, troops have intensified clearance operations, strengthened surveillance at key flashpoints, and enhanced collaboration with other security agencies to deter future incursions.
He also noted that intelligence-led operations are ongoing to dismantle criminal hideouts and disrupt the movements of armed groups, with additional logistics and manpower deployed to maintain a sustained security presence in Alkaleri and surrounding communities.
Public affairs analyst and activist, Blessing Akinlosotu, has called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to monitor social media content creators more closely to prevent abuse.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Akinlosotu made the appeal in a statement on Tuesday, responding to the controversy involving President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, social commentator Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan (VDM), and content creator Mitchel Mukoro, known as King Mitchy.
Reports indicated that VDM alleged Seyi Tinubu and King Mitchy threatened his life over comments about a ₦100 million donation. Seyi Tinubu, however, dismissed the claim in a detailed statement over the weekend. The situation escalated further after reports suggested that King Mitchy attempted to harm herself.
Reacting to the incident, Akinlosotu criticized VDM for involving Seyi Tinubu unnecessarily and condemned King Mitchy for attempting self-harm.
She stressed, “I call on the Nigerian Communications Commission, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, and other regulatory bodies to pay closer and more serious attention to content being produced daily by creators across the country. Strong sanctions are needed, and some individuals should be held accountable to serve as a deterrent.”
Enugu State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Dr. Martin Chukwunweike as Chairman and Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie as Secretary of a 37-member state executive. The leadership team, which includes 35 other members, emerged unanimously on Tuesday at the party’s state congress held at Okpara Square, Enugu. The APC national panel described the exercise as free, fair, and credible.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Additionally, 15 zonal executives—five for each of the state’s three senatorial zones—were also elected.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State praised party leaders and members for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the congress, while lauding President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies for boosting state revenues and enabling developmental projects in Enugu.
Governor Mbah said, “What we have achieved here demonstrates that we are part of one big family. Enugu State is not only a model of governance but also a model in politics. The merger of parties we achieved is genuine and not just a marriage of convenience.”
He congratulated the new leadership and urged them to continue the work of the Dr. Ben Nwoye-led Caretaker Committee, emphasizing the need to communicate his administration’s reforms and development initiatives to grassroots communities.
Highlighting the impact of President Tinubu’s policies, Mbah said, “The bold initiatives from Mr. President have increased funds for subnational governments. This has made our state transformations possible, including stabilizing the exchange rate, strengthening the naira, and raising foreign reserves to $50 billion for the first time in 13 years.”
On the benefits of APC membership, he added, “Through connecting to the centre, we’ve seen major projects approved, including the concession of Enugu International Airport, the railway extension from Aba, the South East Development Commission, and the high-pressure gas pipeline to unlock Enugu’s energy potential.”
In his acceptance speech, Chukwunweike pledged to work with his team to ensure the re-election of Governor Mbah and President Tinubu. “We will deliver. No governor has completed a tenure successfully in Enugu since 1999, and Governor Mbah will not be an exception, especially with his record and performance,” he stated.
Outgoing Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, commended Mbah for uniting former APC and PDP members into one strong party structure. “We chose inclusion over exclusion, dialogue over division, and unity over personal ambition,” he said.
The APC National Deputy Chairman (South), Chief Emma Enukwu, encouraged the new leadership to prove themselves in the upcoming elections, emphasizing that political party leadership is measured by the ability to secure votes and win elections.
The five-member APC panel overseeing the congress, chaired by Hon. Loveth Idisi with Hon. Tobechukwu Okonkwo as secretary, described the exercise as transparent, successful, and credible, praising Mbah for the state’s development and cleanliness.
Other dignitaries present included Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Senator Osita Ngwu; Hon. Martins Oke; Deputy Governor Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; and Chief of Staff Barr. Victor Udeh, among several other current and former political office holders.
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