EPL News Roundup: Cole Palmer Set for The Blues Comeback; Idrissa Gueye's Unsuccessful Appeal Mystery
1. Star Talent Palmer Ready for Crucial Capital Clash with Arsenal
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the squad's important top-flight match against local opponents Arsenal.
The 23-year-old English midfielder had been sidelined due to a fractured toe sustained after an unfortunate occurrence.
“He is ready to start and participate,” Maresca declared. “All involved are pleased.”
This season, Palmer has made only four appearances in all tournaments, netting two goals.
After joining from City in 2023, he has notched 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 games for Chelsea.
“He is our most valuable asset, we are happy he is back, we need to provide him with time to be completely ready,” Maresca added. “He has been brilliant historically and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Receive No Reason for Failed Idrissa Gueye Dismissal Appeal
Everton were unsuccessful in their protest against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for a fight with teammate Michael Keane during the squad's narrow win at Manchester United.
The veteran Senegalese player was shown a red card only 13 minutes into the match after slapping Keane during a dispute over a misplaced pass.
The player immediately apologized, and the pair were seen reconciled later in a light-hearted online video.
However, the challenge against the red card was denied, and Gueye must complete a three-match ban, leaving Everton shorthanded for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle United.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach David Moyes said. “No explanation was provided for the rejection but we did appeal it.”
When asked about any further fallout from the event, Moyes remarked: “It was over immediately, it was done, that was it, we progressed swiftly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”
3. Yoane Wissa Practices with Newcastle for First Time since Injury
Newcastle United's new acquisition Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the first time since suffering a knee problem soon after his move from Brentford in the autumn.
Manager Eddie Howe announced the news on Friday but withheld a possible return date for the player.
The team signed the forward for a significant fee to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record transfer fee.
Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on national team service before he could make his debut for his new club.
“He is progressing nicely, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, so I was extremely satisfied with how he looked,” Howe stated. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
Howe continued: “We have a target return date, but it’s probably best if I do not share it publicly. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. Of course, we want to include him as promptly.”
Additionally, Kieran Trippier will be out of action for a month with a hamstring issue.
4. The Reds' Slump ‘Irrelevant’, Insists West Ham Boss Nuno
The Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that the reigning champions' current slump “is largely irrelevant” as his team gets ready to face the ailing top-flight champions.
Arne Slot's team has lost six of the last seven Premier League matches, falling out of the top 10 of the standings.
Nevertheless, Nuno emphasized that there can be no taking it easy when the teams meet on Sunday at the their home ground.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno remarked. “We anticipate facing the league champions, players that are talented and able of doing good things, so we have to be ready.
“The history of the outcomes before, the performance of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the day. Knowing that we are going to face a very good team, that has players capable of doing amazing feats, so we have to prepare thoroughly, to perform.”
West Ham will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their recovery from fitness issues.
Fifth Story: Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against Brighton
The club's manager Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the side's home match against Brighton on the weekend.
The England international missed Thursday's European game against the Swedish side due to a back issue.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche commented as he prepared to face the Brighton manager's team, who have secured a decent haul from their last three matches.
“It’s like a bad back, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or move improperly. So we’re not expecting, at this point anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s settling down already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be fine for the weekend.”
The defender was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring muscle after the 3-0 Europa League win, but Dyche indicated the player “will likely be available”.
However, Ola Aina (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), the striker (knee), and the defender (hip) are likely to be unavailable.
Sixth Story: Oliver Glasner: European Defeat Won't Set Back Crystal Palace
The Eagles head coach Oliver Glasner feels that the setback of Thursday's European loss to the French side is a sign of how much progress the team has come in competing on two fronts.
The FA Cup winners took the lead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were equalized against by the opposition manager's team, who moved up to runner-up in the table.
The Eagles now switch focus to Premier League competition with a home match against Manchester United, and Glasner is optimistic his team can maintain their push for a Champions League spot.
“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner remarked. “However, we have to acknowledge it. The effort was there but it is a game we could have avoided losing.”
Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would be absent for the weekend's match after he stayed behind to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against the opponents, should be in the team selection.