Why Cole Palmer missed Chelsea’s pre-season clash with Juventus

Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were both missing from Chelsea’s matchday squad for the side’s pre-season friendly with Juventus.

Juventus were much the better team and came away from Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium with a 1-0 victory thanks to Edon Zhegrova’s stunning left-footed strike from the edge of the box in the 68th minute.

Mykhailo Mudryk made his long-awaited return in the second half, perhaps the most notable moment from a Chelsea perspective in an otherwise uninspiring performance from Xabi Alonso’s men.

The Ukrainian winger had been sidelined since November 2024 after being slapped with a 20-month doping ban and came on in place of Nicolas Jackson in the closing stages.

There were also first outings for Mike Penders, Geovany Quenda and Danny Welbeck in the contest, the third match of Chelsea’s busy pre-season.

The Blues kicked off their summer schedule with an entertaining 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers a week ago, with Joao Pedro completing a late hat-trick to get his side over the line Down Under.

Defeat at the hands of ten-man Tottenham followed for Chelsea, though, as Richarlison struck in stoppage time following Kevin Danso’s earlier sending off at Accor Stadium.

Alonso named Palmer and Colwill in his starting XI versus Spurs at the weekend and both managed 80 minutes before coming off for Omari Kellyman and Josh Acheampong respectively.

However, those fans hoping to watch the two England internationals in Hong Kong were left disappointed, with Palmer revealing in an on-pitch interview: ‘I am obviously disappointed not to play due to a slight issue.

‘But I love Hong Kong and this amazing support. The stadium and fans are amazing and it should be a good night.’

Asked why Palmer and Colwill weren’t in his matchday squad to face Juve at his post-match press conference, Alonso told reporters: ‘Yes, they had a few, not injuries, discomforts.

‘Cole with a whack and Levi as well, so no point to take today’s risk and hopefully they will be fine for Saturday [against AC Milan].’

Asked if Palmer’s problem was a recurrence of a groin issue that plagued the attacking midfielder last season, Alonso replied: ‘No, it’s a whack, a contact injury that he had against Spurs. So it’s not that.’

On the contest itself, Alonso was pleased with the way Chelsea started against Juve, but felt his players gave away ‘a little bit of control’ as the match wore on.

‘I think we started pretty well. The first 30-35 minutes we have played with good control, we have created a few chances and the last few minutes, a little bit like last Saturday, then we lost a little bit of control,’ the Spaniard added.

‘In the second-half there were many changes, the game was not that controlled.

‘But for sure it’s a process, it’s minutes for everyone and now we have two more before we go back to London and then we will be the ones that will start the season.

‘For sure we are a big part but we are missing another big part as well.’

Alonso was delighted that Mudryk could get some minutes in the game and revealed how the forward reacted to being named amongst Chelsea’s substitutes.

‘I’m really pleased for him,’ he explained.

‘It was emotional for everyone from the club to see him back, especially when I told him that before the game that was my idea, that he could play 10-15 minutes.

‘He was thrilled, for sure. It was, after such a long period, to be back on the pitch, it was a great feeling for him and a great feeling for everyone as well.’

Chelsea continue their pre-season versus AC Milan at Jakarta’s GBK Stadium on Saturday, before facing off against Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia.

Alonso’s men then return to Stamford Bridge to play host to Real Sociedad in a final friendly on August 15.

The Blues kick off their Premier League campaign nine days later away to local neighbours Fulham.

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