Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea have already confirmed that they aren’t over-reliant on Cole Palmer.
Palmer was named in Chelsea’s beginning line-up to face West Ham final week, however the England worldwide didn’t characteristic because of a groin downside.
He was changed by Estevao, who went on to register an help as Chelsea beat their London rivals 5-1 to file their first win of the season.
Maresca insisted Chelsea’s outcomes don’t rely on Palmer’s availability, which he thinks they confirmed final season.
“You already know what I take into consideration that. How I really feel about it,” stated Maresca when requested about those that say Chelsea are ‘Palmer FC’.
“You might be there to say issues, and persons are there to say issues, or those that say simply we’re ‘Cole group’.
“For certain, Cole is our greatest participant, little doubt. For certain, with Cole we’re a a lot, a lot, significantly better group.
“However I believe we already confirmed final 12 months in two, three months the place Cole, sadly for us, was not 100% and we achieved prime 4.
“Nobody anticipated that, and most significantly, nobody requested from me in my first season. They requested me in two seasons [to qualify for the] Champions League.”
We host Fulham on MD3 of the #PL. pic.twitter.com/a6F2zNdvK2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 26, 2025
For the second consecutive sport, Fulham got here from a aim down to attract 1-1. Final trip, Emile Smith Rowe got here off the bench to rescue some extent at residence towards Manchester United.
He scored 94 seconds after his introduction, the sixth-earliest by a substitute for the reason that begin of final season, with 4 of the six quickest being scored by Fulham gamers.
Smith Rowe believes Fulham’s capability to get objectives from substitutes all comes from their mentality in coaching.
“We’re very aggressive in coaching, I believe all of it comes from there once I rating or once I contribute,” stated Smith Rowe.
“We all know once we come off the bench, we have now to work arduous and rating.
“I do know when Alex [Iwobi] will get the ball, I do know his trademark cross. I knew the place he was going to place it and that I simply needed to be there on the proper time.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chelsea – Joao Pedro
With Palmer probably lacking this fixture, Joao Pedro could also be known as upon to step up for Chelsea once more. He has been concerned in six objectives in his final 4 video games in all competitions for Chelsea (4 objectives, two assists), with 4 objectives in 4 begins for the Blues.
Within the Premier League period, since 1992-93, solely three gamers have scored 5 or extra objectives of their first 5 begins in all competitions for Chelsea – Diego Costa in 2014 (seven), Alvaro Morata in 2017 (5) and Tammy Abraham in 2019 (seven).
Fulham – Rodrigo Muniz
Rodrigo Muniz – who notched a late winner at Stamford Bridge final season for the Cottagers – has scored six objectives in his final 10 away Premier League appearances, averaging a aim each 45 minutes throughout these video games.
His equaliser at Brighton on MD1 took him to 6 away objectives as an alternative choice to Fulham, overtaking Collins John for probably the most (5).
MATCH PREDICTION – CHELSEA WIN
Chelsea drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace of their first residence Premier League match of 2025-26 and didn’t win their opening two residence video games final season, however they haven’t completed so in consecutive seasons since 2001-02 and 2002-03.
Estevao turned the youngest participant to ever help a Premier League aim for Chelsea of their 5-1 win over West Ham, aged 18 years and 120 days, on his first begin within the competitors. The one gamers to help of their first two begins aged 18 or youthful are Francis Jeffers in 1999 (18y 23d) and Evan Ferguson in 2023 (18y 87d).
Chelsea have misplaced simply 8.3% of their Premier League video games towards Fulham (3/36), the joint-lowest loss price one facet has towards one other with a minimal of 20 conferences (Man Utd additionally 8.3% vs Aston Villa).
Nevertheless, Fulham gained this actual fixture 2-1 final season, ending a 21-game winless streak away to Chelsea in all competitions. They’ve by no means gained consecutive visits to Stamford Bridge of their historical past.
The Cottagers have gained 4 of their final eight away Premier League London derbies (D2 L2), as many as of their earlier 68 mixed (W4 D21 L43). Having overwhelmed Brentford 3-2 in Could, they’re in search of consecutive away London victories for only a second time, beating Charlton Athletic and Tottenham in Could and August 2003.
Marco Silva’s facet have drawn each of their Premier League matches to this point this season – they final drew their opening three league video games in 2017-18 within the Championship, whereas within the top-flight they’ve solely completed so as soon as (2010-11).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Chelsea – 59.4%
Draw – 21.2%
Fulham 19.4%
