Enzo Maresca thinks Cole Palmer is ready for more playing time. The England player is getting back in shape after being out for two and a half months.

Palmer got a groin injury in the game against Manchester United on September 20, and it needed to be taken care of carefully. Because of that, the 23-year-old didn't play again until the Leeds United game on December 3.

Palmer played for 30 minutes at Elland Road. Then, he started two games in a row against Bournemouth and Everton. He scored a good goal against Everton, which helped us win 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

He got through both games without any problems. He also didn't travel with the team for the League Cup game against Cardiff City in the middle of the week. Now, Palmer might play at St. James' Park tomorrow afternoon. Maresca thinks that the Blues' No. 10 is ready to play a full 90 minutes.

'He is ready,' said the Blues' coach. 'He has already played 60 minutes twice—maybe even a bit longer last time. So, he's getting better, and he can play more. It just depends on the game whether that's 70 or 90 minutes.'

The Blues will also get a boost at St. James' Park because Moises Caicedo is back from suspension. He missed the last three games because of a red card he got against Arsenal.

Enzo Fernandez might also be back in the team. He didn't play against Cardiff in the middle of the week, but he was on the bench.

'Moi was suspended for three games, but these guys have played a lot,' Maresca said when he talked about his midfield choices.

'Right now, I don’t think we have someone who can naturally replace Enzo. We've been using Andrey Santos, but Andrey is more like a number six, which is Moi's spot, not Enzo's. Moi is also playing a lot because Romeo (Lavia) and Dario (Essugo) are both out hurt.

'So, they're playing a lot. But if you look at Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City—the teams that play Champions League—they also have guys who play every game.'

Chelsea's coach, Enzo Maresca, brushed off rumours about him possibly replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, calling them 100 per cent speculation.

Reports came out Thursday saying that City had put Maresca on their list of possible replacements if Guardiola leaves after this season.

Maresca used to coach City's Under-23 team and was also Guardiola's assistant before he left for Leicester in 2023.

This comes just days after Maresca didn't explain comments that seemed to criticise the lack of backing from Chelsea's bosses, which made people think things weren't going well at the club.

When asked about the City rumours before Saturday's game against Newcastle, Maresca said, It doesn't bother me. It's all just guessing!

I don't have time for that. I'm under contract here until 2029. I'm only thinking about this club. I'm really proud to be here.

It's just rumours. Last week, it was the same with Juventus. I don't care because I know it's not true.

The media put out this fake news due to various incentives.

It's important to understand that the incentives for this news were there. It's their job, but I don't care at all. The players are thinking about Newcastle.

When asked if he could promise he'd be at Chelsea next season, he said, Yes, for sure. I have a contract until 2029.

It's all guessing, 100 per cent. I have nothing else to say. I don't pay any attention to it. If we keep talking about it, then I'm paying attention. I'm just focused on Newcastle and my job.

After Chelsea's win against Everton last weekend, Maresca said that the previous two days had been the worst since he'd been at the club and that he and the players hadn't gotten the support he expected during a tough run of games.

He didn't say more about it when he spoke to the media on Monday.

People have criticised Chelsea's rotation this season, which has sometimes made the team look disorganised.

Losses to Leeds and Atalanta, and a boring tie with Bournemouth, seemed to back up those criticisms. But it's believed that the club's leaders privately support using the rotation players. It gives younger, less experienced players a chance to participate in the team.

Maresca has been given a squad that seems a little light at times, especially in difficult games like the one away at Leeds, where the team needed more leadership.

About his relationship with the management, he said, We're in the same building, so we talk about different things. But what about the Everton press conference? Nothing. He said that everything was absolutely fine between him and the people in charge.

Striker Liam Delap is coming back sooner than expected from the shoulder injury. He got it at an away game two weeks ago. The £30 million signing could be back for the match against Aston Villa on December 27.