Carabao Cup: Maresca gives reason for not playing Palmer during Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle

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Carabao Cup: Maresca gives reason for not playing Palmer during Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle

Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca has given reason he didn’t play Cole Palmer during his side’s Carabao Cup 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Palmer was an unused substitute as Newcastle defeated Chelsea at St James’ Park.

Two goals from Alexander Isak and Axel Disasi (own goal) ensured Newcastle eliminated the Blues from the Carabao Cup last-16.

During the encounter, Maresca made just one substitute as he brought Noni Madueke on in the second half, but Palmer was left on the substitutes’ bench.

When asked about why he didn’t call upon Palmer, Maresca said it was simply that both Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku looked good, so he didn’t feel that he needed the England international.

“No, no, no,” the Italian said at his post-match interview.

“Simply because I think Joao and Christo were doing very good.

“The reason why [we brought him] was in case we needed Cole but Joao and Christo were doing well so there was no need to change.”