Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has hit back at suggestions he pressured Cole Palmer into pulling out of England duty.
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Palmer plays 90 minutes against LeicesterPulled out of England squad for Nations League fixturesMaresca reacts to Harry Kane criticism of situationFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Palmer was back in the Chelsea starting XI and played all 90 minutes of the Blues' 2-1 Premier League win over Leicester City on Saturday. Chelsea's talisman was declared fit to play despite missing England's Nations League fixtures against Greece and Ireland after pulling out of Lee Carsley's squad.
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England were hit by a raft of withdrawals over the last international break, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka also pulling out. The situation led to criticism from captain Harry Kane and Maresca was asked about Palmer's lack of involvement after Chelsea's win at the King Power Stadium.
WHAT MARESCA SAID
Quizzed on Palmer's inclusion despite his reported injury, Maresca told reporters: "My reaction is we finished the game 10 minutes ago, we won 2-1. There is no comments. I'm not thinking about Harry Kane or what he's saying."
Maresca was then asked if he had pressured Palmer to pull out and answered: "Absolutely not."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA
Chelsea take on Heidenheim next in the Europa Conference League and Palmer will not be involved as he is not in the Blues' European squad for the group phase of the tournament. He could return next time out in the Premier League against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.