Mauricio Pochettino says his players must show they are “Chelsea Football Club, not Cole Palmer Football Club”.
The 21-year-old missed training due to illness and is a doubt to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
It would be the first match Palmer has missed for Chelsea since December as the 20-goal forward chases the Premier League Golden Boot in a race with Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins.
Pochettino was asked ahead of the London derby whether his other attackers are capable of filling in, should his star man be absent.
He told reporters: “We will see. We will see. It is a good challenge if Palmer is not available tomorrow. It’s a good challenge for his teammates or those in a similar position.
“If I were them, I would be motivated to go there tomorrow and show that this is Chelsea Football Club, not Cole Palmer Football Club.”
The England international has scored nine of his last nine penalties and the Blues boss will have to find a new taker if Palmer does not play, after the on-pitch row between Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke at home to Everton sparked debate about whether Palmer’s teammates are happy with his spot-kick duties.
“I think they are not jealous,” he added.
“They only want the same pill we provide Palmer! I am joking! They ask whatever you do for Palmer; we want the same.
“It is a good example for them of why he is doing so well and why they are not capable of doing the same… I think it is a good challenge.”
