Chelsea have been dealt a major blow as star midfielder Cole Palmer is set for an extended spell on the sidelines due to a recurring groin injury. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the England international will miss at least six more weeks, just as the Blues prepare for a crucial stretch in their season.
Palmer Faces Fresh Setback After Brief Return
Palmer initially suffered the groin issue in August but made a promising return with standout performances, including goals against Brentford and Bayern Munich. However, the 23-year-old aggravated the injury during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on September 20.
Speaking ahead of the Blues’ Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, Maresca acknowledged the misjudgment in Palmer’s recovery timeline.
“I was wrong,” he admitted. “Unfortunately, he needs to be out for six more weeks. We try to protect Cole as much as we can, and the most important thing is that when he returns, he’s 100% ready.”
Palmer has contributed two goals in four appearances across all competitions this season, underlining his importance to Chelsea’s attacking setup.
Key Fixtures Palmer Will Miss
With this updated recovery window, Palmer is expected to miss several pivotal matches, including:
- Premier League: Nottingham Forest, Sunderland
- Champions League: A critical group stage clash against Ajax
Chelsea, currently seventh in the league table with 11 points from seven games, sit five points behind leaders Arsenal.
Maresca Admits Palmer Is Irreplaceable
Finding a substitute for Palmer won’t be easy, according to Maresca.
“To replace Cole is very difficult,” he said. “He’s one of the best players in the league and there’s no one quite like him. He’s unique.”
Maresca hinted that the team’s tactical setup may need to change depending on the opponent, as no direct replacement exists within the current squad.
Injury Woes Mount for Chelsea
Chelsea’s injury list continues to grow, particularly in defense. French centre-back Benoît Badiashile has been ruled out until December with a muscle injury, while Levi Colwill remains sidelined with a long-term ACL problem.
Midfielders Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, and Pedro Neto all missed Thursday’s training session, though their availability for the weekend remains uncertain. On a positive note, captain Reece James has returned to full fitness.
“We’ll assess the others ahead of the match,” Maresca said. “But Reece is fully fit and ready to go.”
Maresca to Watch from the Stands After Touchline Ban
The Forest match will also see Maresca serve a one-match touchline ban and pay an £8,000 fine following his misconduct during Chelsea’s dramatic stoppage-time victory over Liverpool. The Italian coach celebrated exuberantly after the 95th-minute winner, earning a second yellow card for leaving his technical area.
Reflecting on the incident, Maresca remained unapologetic.
“It was a big moment. Since I arrived, we hadn’t won a game at home in the last minute. It was against the champions. That emotion was real.”
