Cole Palmer was seen warming up with strapping on his thigh at Wembley (PA)
Mauricio Pochettino has played down concerns that Cole Palmer is carrying an injury after Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi final on Saturday.
The 21-year-old was seen warming up with strapping on his left thigh before kick off at Wembley, while the midfielder’s movement looked less than fluid during the early stages of the game.
Chelsea then went on to miss several clear-cut chances and were made to pay as Bernardo Silva’s goal in the 84th minute sealed the win for City, who will play either Manchester United or Coventry City in the FA Cup final on May 25.
When asked about the concerns over Palmer’s fitness after Chelsea’s defeat to City, Pochettino replied: ‘It’s normal, he’s tired.
‘I don’t believe we have problems. We need to check, of course, tomorrow.
‘But I don’t believe and hope it’s nothing more than he’s tired.’
Chelsea are now looking to get back on track with a positive result against Arsenal in the Premier League on Tuesday evening.
And Pochettino admits his side need to improve in front of goal after failing to find a way past Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley.
‘In football the most important thing is to be clinical and to not concede,’ said Pochettino.
‘Even if today we compete well, I can’t say that maybe we were the better side, because in football that is difficult to measure.
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‘But the important thing I think is that we competed. Competing in this way, now we need to take the positive things from the game. This type of group of players need these types of moments and games.
‘Now it’s about taking the positive things and trying to keep the things we need and improve the areas we need to improve.
‘Now is the time to finish the season in the best way and then of course see how we can do better next season.’
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