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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Palmer plays 90 minutes against Leicester</li><li>Pulled out of England squad for Nations League fixtures</li><li>Maresca reacts to Harry Kane criticism of situation</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'I'm not thinking about Harry Kane' - Enzo Maresca responds to claims he pressured Cole Palmer to pull out of England squad as Blues hero plays full 90 minutes against Leicester

<p>Palmer was back in the Chelsea starting XI and played all 90 minutes of the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-player-ratings-vs-leicester-city-enzo-fernandez-sharpshooter-nicolas-jackson-slays-foxes/blt6bd785f95a537308" target="_blank">Blues' 2-1 Premier League win over Leicester City</a> on Saturday. Chelsea's talisman was declared fit to play despite missing England's Nations League fixtures against Greece and Ireland after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/england-squad-withdrawals-nations-league-bukayo-saka-declan-rice-cole-palmer-trent-alexander-arnold/blt11ded18b7cf67964" target="_blank">pulling out of Lee Carsley's squad</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>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 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/harry-kane-hits-out-england-squad-dropouts-bayern-munich-taken-advantage-three-lions/blt2d752c0f6e0570b3" target="_blank">criticism from captain Harry Kane</a> and Maresca was asked about Palmer's lack of involvement after Chelsea's win at the King Power Stadium.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>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." </p><p>Maresca was then asked if he had pressured Palmer to pull out and answered: "Absolutely not."</p>

WHAT MARESCA SAID

<p>Chelsea take on Heidenheim next in the Europa Conference League and Palmer will not be involved as he is not in the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/enzo-maresca-reveals-why-left-cole-palmer-out-chelsea-europa-conference-league-squad/blt1a56c6a67ee353a2#cs4e95dc34759da2e4" target="_blank">Blues' European squad</a> for the group phase of the tournament. He could return next time out in the Premier League against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA

'I'm not thinking about Harry Kane' - Enzo Maresca responds to claims he pressured Cole Palmer to pull out of England squad as Blues hero plays full 90 minutes against Leicester | Goal.com Tanzania

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has hit back at suggestions he pressured Cole Palmer into pulling out of England duty.

&apos;I&apos;m not thinking about Harry Kane&apos; - Enzo Maresca responds to claims he pressured Cole Palmer to pull out of England squad as Blues hero plays full 90 minutes against Leicester