Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.
The playmaker was forced to withdraw from England duty during the international break courtesy of the knee issue that he sustained earlier in the month.
However, when addressing the media on Thursday, head coach Enzo Maresca declared that there was only one injury issue in the squad, with that involving Reece James.
Therefore, Palmer appears likely to feature in the starting lineup for the meeting with the Foxes at the King Power Stadium.
By his own high standards, the 22-year-old is enduring a poor run of form, contributing just one goal from his last six appearances for club and country.
Nevertheless, Leicester will be wary of the intimidating record that the former Manchester City youngster possesses against newly-promoted teams.
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Every 43 minutes...
In five such matches in a Chelsea shirt, Palmer is averaging a goal or assist every 43 minutes, being directly involved in 10 goals.
They are split up into six strikes and four assists, starting with one of each in a 4-1 triumph over Burnley on October 7, 2023.
Palmer replicated those numbers in a 2-0 victory at home to Sheffield United before the end of the year, before he concluded 2023 with a double and one assist in a 3-2 success at Luton Town.
Two more goals followed in a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley in March, while an assist would come at Sheffield United a week later as Chelsea were again held to a share of the spoils.
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Opportunities on the horizon
Saturday's encounter in the East Midlands represents the first time that Chelsea have played a newly-promoted team during 2024-25.
Trips to Southampton and Ipswich Town are scheduled to take place before the end of the year on December 4 and December 30 respectively.
One statistic in the trio's favour is Palmer not chipping in with a goal or assist in an away Premier League fixture since the game at West Ham United on September 21.
Darren Plant
