CHELSEA fans have been given an update on star man Cole Palmer’s fitness ahead of their clash with Arsenal this weekend.

Palmer, 22, has been a doubt for the London derby after picking up a knock during the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

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Enzo Maresca explained earlier this week that the midfielder was unable to train on Tuesday after the injury.

He said: “Cole Palmer was not able to train yesterday, he was not fit. We hope to have him back against Arsenal. We will assess him.”

But Blues fans have been given a boost after seeing Cole Palmer at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea‘s clash with FC Noah in the Conference League.

Palmer, who isn’t part of Chelsea’s Conference League squad, was there to support his team from the sidelines.

And the England star appeared to be moving freely as he walked by the pitch in SW6.

Fans were certainly buoyed by the sight of their star man moving with ease.

On social media, one wrote: “I think he can play against Arsenal”.

While another added: “Like I said, he looks good for someone who is supposed to be injured”.

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Chelsea fans can be confident that any issue isn’t long-term either with Palmer called up to Lee Carsley’s final England camp as manager.

The former Man City man has been included in the 23-strong squad to face Greece and Ireland.

Palmer’s inclusion for the Arsenal game would be a huge boost with the attacking midfielder already registering 12 goal contributions in 10 Premier League games this season.

However, the Blues could still be without Jadon Sancho for the head-to-head this weekend too.

Speaking about the winger in his press conference, Maresca said: “He also had a knock in a session.

“Tomorrow [against Noah] he is out but we will see if he can be available for Sunday’s game, otherwise it will be after the international break for him.”

Arsenal could be reduced in numbers with Declan Rice missing the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat to Inter on Wednesday with injury.

Palmer’s absence mattered little against FC Noah as the romped to an 8-0 win – a record for the Europa Conference League.

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Tsitsipas is among the leading players who have spoken out recently about what they see as increasingly unreasonable demands in scheduling.

Poland’s five-time major champion Iga Swiatek said there are “too many tournaments in the season”, while France’s Caroline Garcia spoke about the mental impact of the “constant grind of tennis” after ending her season early.

Britain’s Jack Draper said he feels the calendar will make it hard for the next generation to achieve “longevity”.

The discussion has been reopened following the conclusion of the ATP event in Paris, which is one of the remaining week-long Masters.

“If the goal was to ease the calendar, extending every 1,000 to two weeks is a backwards move,” Tsitsipas said.

“Sometimes it feels like they’re fixing what wasn’t broken.”

ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has said the expansion of the 1,000 events has increased financial opportunities for more players and enhanced recovery time.

“We recognise the concerns raised by some top players that longer events can introduce an element of fatigue or burnout related to being away from home for extended periods,” he said in a statement to BBC Sport last month.

“However, players ultimately have the autonomy to craft their own schedules based on their priorities – a freedom that comes with being independent contractors, unlike many other sports where players are bound by fixed schedules.”

If some reports coming from Saudi Arabia are to be trusted, Cristiano Ronaldo can become Neymar Jr’s replacement at Saudi powerhouse Al-Hilal. What makes the switch shocking is the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo is currently representing Al Hilal’s arch-rivals in the Saudi Pro League Al-Nassr FC.

Neymar’s Al-Hilal career

Brazilian attacker Neymar’s Saudi journey never really took off due to injury concerns. Another hamstring injury has ruled him out for at least another month — just two weeks after returning after a year-long absence due to a knee injury. On Monday, Neymar was replaced just 29 minutes after his introduction from the bench in the 3-0 win over Iran’s Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League Elite.

“The scans revealed that Neymar Jr. has suffered a tear in his Hamstring… e will undergo a treatment and rehabilitation program that will last from four to six weeks,” Al-Hilal posted on X.

Neymar has played only seven games for Al-Hilal since moving from Paris St Germain for a reported fee of around 90 million euros ($98 million) in August last year. 

Fed up with his constant fitness issues, Al Hilal wants to initiate talks on terminating his agreement which keeps him in Saudi till 2025, reports said.

Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, was among the first European top-tier players to reach Saudi in the second decade of the century. Shortly after Ronaldo arrived at Al-Nassr from Manchester United in 2022, several others, including some in their prime, followed suit. The list includes Jordan Henderson, Ruben Neves, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino.

Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Hilal?

Once Neymar leaves, Al-Hilal will set out to find his replacement and they have no problem roping in Cristiano Ronaldo. Unlike Neymar, 39-year-old Ronaldo has been successful in the Middle Eastern country since his arrival and they feel it would be ideal if they can land his signature in the January tranfer window, SportBible said in a report. CR7 is contracted until 2025 by their rivals and Al-Hilal are open to offering him a fresh contract even after his current one expires, the report added.

After initial glory, Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr has struggled to compete with Al-Hilal who landed the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Europe. Ronaldo has hinted at ending his career in Saudi in two or three years and a potential switch to Saudi may help him bolster his unparalleled trophy cabinet with more bounties including the AFC Champions League Elite.

AMAD DIALLO sent the message that he should be in the starting XI loud and clear to Ruud van Nistelrooy and incoming boss Ruben Amorim.

The 22-year-old was a bright spark in an otherwise largely laboured performance from Manchester United as they beat PAOK 2-0.

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United started slowly in the Europa League tie before managing to squeeze out a first win in European competition for over a year.

It was a low-key first half at Old Trafford.

But after the break Amad made the difference for the Red Devils as his lopping header across the box ended up finding the far side of the goal net, before he won the ball back high and curled a shot into the same corner.

Here’s how SunSport’s Phil Thomas rated the United players on Van Nistelrooy’s penultimate game as interim manager.

ANDRE ONANA – 6

One great tipover to keep out a Camara half-volley.

But any other stops were pretty routine.

NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6

Another solid, if unspectacular, display.

An increasingly dependable presence by the week.  

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VICTOR LINDELOF – 6

Flat-footed once in the first half, but rarely flustered thereafter.

Started a few attacks as well.

JONNY EVANS – 6

Wise old head at the back.

But lucky to get away with going AWOL for one second half chance.

DIOGO DALOT – 4

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Usually reliable, but shoddy with so much of what he did, and his delivery wasn’t great either. 

Surprising he wasn’t hooked earlier.

CASEMIRO – 6

Starting point for most of what United did going forward.

Although that wasn’t a great deal to be honest.

MANUEL UGARTE – 5

Still far from the midfield general United hoped.

Distribution disappointing too. No shock when subbed off.

AMAD – 8 (STAR MAN)

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Livewire runs, impressive closing down, the crucial opening goal…and a stunning second.

United’s best player by some distance.

BRUNO FERNANDES – 7

Knocked some marvellous passes, always looking to create.

At least someone was!

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6

Close with one header and a couple of decent runs, but all in all a quiet night.

Hooked.

RASMUS HOJLUND – 5

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One early header aside, little to work with apart from chasing hopeful balls.

No clear sights of goal, either.

SUBS

Rashford (for Garnacho 64) 6

Eriksen (for Ugarte 64) 6

Martinez (for Dalot 64)  6

Mount (for Amad 81) 6

Zirkzee (for Hojlund 90) N/A