Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has openly criticized manager Enzo Maresca for starting Cole Palmer against Manchester United in the Premier League, despite the midfielder’s ongoing groin injury.
Palmer had already been struggling with fitness issues leading up to the clash at Old Trafford. Just days earlier, he was visibly in discomfort, clutching his groin during Chelsea’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. That moment fueled concerns about whether he was fit enough to return so soon.
The 22-year-old England international had already missed Chelsea’s recent league matches against West Ham United and Fulham while trying to recover. He also sat out of England’s international fixtures last month to prioritize his rehabilitation.
Even with those warning signs, Maresca decided to include Palmer in the starting XI against Manchester United. The gamble backfired quickly, as Palmer was substituted after only 21 minutes, once again showing clear signs of injury trouble.
Speaking to ESPN, Leboeuf expressed strong disapproval of the decision:
“Cole Palmer is a fantastic talent, and Chelsea needs him to unlock games, but only when he’s fully fit. A player operating at 60 or 70 percent cannot perform at his best and risks making the problem worse. I went through groin injuries myself, and I know how devastating they can be. If not managed properly, they can linger for months. Players must rest and return only when they’re at 100 percent.”
Leboeuf added a strong warning:
“Even if you’re Cole Palmer, Diego Maradona, or Zinedine Zidane, it doesn’t matter—you should never step on the pitch unless you’re completely ready. Otherwise, you fall short of your own standards and hurt the team.”
Maresca’s decision has sparked debate among fans and pundits, raising questions about Chelsea’s player management and the risks of rushing injured stars back into action.
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