The Chelsea Chronicle

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has given an injury update on Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.

Palmer missed the Blues’ 1-0 loss to Arsenal just before the international break, while Jackson has not played since the start of February.

However, before Maresca‘s pre-match press conference for Thursday’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur, Palmer was spotted training.

Jackson had also been seen on the grass at Cobham, and Maresca has now given an update on both players.

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both available for Tottenham game

In a huge boost for Chelsea, Palmer and Jackson are set to be available for the massive game against Tottenham.

In his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: “Cole Palmer is back, he is okay. Noni Madueke is better. Nico Jackson is better. They are all good.”

Palmer was not in the best of form before his injury. Last month, Joe Cole discussed Palmer’s dip, claiming that he needs a more senior player around him to give some support during this difficult period.

Whatever the case, the attacking midfielder is still Chelsea’s best player, so Maresca will be pleased to have him back.

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As for Jackson, the Chelsea head coach will also be glad to welcome the 23-year-old back. In his absence, the Blues have not had too many other striker options.

Pedro Neto has had to play up front, with Marc Guiu also being out injured. Christopher Nkunku has experience in the centre-forward position, but Maresca has preferred him on the left.

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson’s records against Tottenham

Palmer scored two goals in Chelsea’s last outing against Tottenham, a 4-3 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Both were penalties, including a Panenka, and saw the England international take his record against Spurs to three goals in three games.

Regarding Jackson, he has managed four goals in three appearances versus Chelsea’s fierce rivals, scoring a hat-trick in north London last season.

With Chelsea in a real battle to qualify for the Champions League, April is going to be such a huge month for Enzo Maresca’s men.

Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League table, but they have played one game more than Newcastle United, who are just two points behind them.

Fifth place should also ensure Champions League qualification this season, but there is no guarantee that the Blues finish there either.

Ultimately, with so many teams gunning for a spot in the top five right now, Chelsea need a successful month. With that in mind, here is what a perfect April could look like for Maresca.

Cole Palmer guides Chelsea to victory against Tottenham

Chelsea begin their April with a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

Cole Palmer has returned to training after a small injury, so he should be available for the match. The attacking midfielder humiliated Spurs when Chelsea travelled to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December.

Palmer scored a Panenka penalty that day as the Blues went on to win 4-3. Maresca will now be hoping that the England international can inspire his side to another victory over Ange Postecoglou’s men.

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Chelsea win all three of their London derbies

Following their game against Tottenham, Chelsea have two more London derbies to play before April concludes.

The Blues travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Brentford before another west London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Maresca’s men were able to beat Brentford 2-1 in the reverse fixture, with Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson scoring on the night, but they lost to Fulham by the same scoreline at the Bridge.

Chelsea get their revenge against Liam Delap and Ipswich

Ipswich Town were also able to defeat Chelsea earlier in the season, winning 2-0 at Portman Road.

Liam Delap opened the scoring with a penalty after winning a very controversial spot-kick before former Chelsea player Omari Hutchinson doubled the home side’s lead.

Delap’s goal was controversial because, simply put, he dived to win his team the penalty. Filip Jorgensen, who was between the sticks that day and conceded the spot-kick, will not forget that.

Jorgensen and the Ipswich star could actually be teammates next season, with Delap a target for Chelsea.

All in all, get wins against Ipswich, Fulham, Brentford and Tottenham, and Maresca will be a very happy man going into May.

Chelsea are preparing for the first of nine Premier League cup finals as they look to achieve their goal of qualifying for the Champions League for next season.

The Blues return from the international break with another London derby, this time against arch-rivals Tottenham, with Enzo Maresca desperate to see his side return to winning ways.

Chelsea have already been buoyed by the news that Cole Palmer is in training again ahead of Thursday’s game, with Nicolas Jackson also back with the first team after his own injury woes.

Spurs arriving to Stamford Bridge has usually been a successful outing as far as the Blues are concerned. They have lost just once in 35 years against this opposition at home.

Nevertheless, the Blues are going to need some big moments and some key players to step up if they are going to maintain their place in the top four, like many Chelsea sides have done before them.

The Chelsea Chronicle have ranked the five biggest wins over their nemesis in the past, including cup final wins and comeback victories that have delighted fans.

Chelsea 4-2 Spurs 2016 FA Cup

Antonio Conte made the brave call to bench both Eden Hazard and Diego Costa for the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in 2016, however was able to turn to the pair off the bench with the scores level at 2-2.

It was the magnificent Belgian who struck to put the Blues ahead, before Nemanja Matic’s piledriver ended all hopes of another Spurs comeback.

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The win booked their place in the final against Manchester United, where Hazard was on target from the spot to deliver the trophy in Conte’s last game in charge of Chelsea.

Chelsea 2-0 Spurs 2015 League Cup

Winning trophies has very much been Chelsea’s thing rather than Tottenham’s in the modern day, and this was no different when the two squared off in the League Cup final in 2015.

Jose Mourinho’s first trophy in his second stint at the club came against Spurs, after goals from John Terry and Diego Costa gave them a comfortable victory in the final.

The Blues went on to also win the Premier League this season, while their rivals missed out on a place in the top four.

Chelsea 2-0 Spurs 2019 Premier League

Fresh off a defeat in the EFL Cup final to Manchester City that was dominated by Kepa Arrizabalaga refusing to be substituted, the Spaniard was dropped from the side for their huge league game against Spurs.

This had no impact on the result though, after a Pedro strike and comical Kieran Trippier own goal gave them a big three points in their chase for Champions League football for the next season.

The result put an end to their opponents’ already lingering title hopes, with the Blues eventually overtaking their rivals in the last two games of the season to finish third.

Spurs 0-3 Chelsea 2021 Premier League

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea were looking to start the 2021/22 season off hot and show their Champions League victory would set them up to dominate the next campaign.

They proved their worth as one of the top dogs with a devastating second half display at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Goals from Thiago Silva, N’golo Kante and Antonio Rudiger gave the away fans a memorable afternoon.

Things fell apart later in the campaign for the Blues. A public spat involving Romelu Lukaku derailed his individual campaign, and they were forced to settle for third in the table, 19 points off leaders Manchester City.

Spurs 3-4 Chelsea 2024 Premier League

Earlier this season, Chelsea’s electric start to the campaign was under threat as they found themselves 2-0 down to Spurs and up against it away from home.

Jadon Sancho fired them back into the game, before a Cole Palmer double from the spot and Enzo Fernandez dagger gave them a big victory which put them firmly in the conversation for a Premier League title race.

Looking ahead to their next meeting on Thursday night, it is a place in the top five which Chelsea are looking to nail down, and a win against Spurs will be a huge step in the right direction for Maresca’s men.