Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has shed light on Cole Palmer’s early substitution in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United, revealing that the young forward was struggling with a recurring groin injury. Palmer, who had recently made his return to action, was substituted just 20 minutes into the match as a precaution.
Enzo Maresca Explains Cole Palmer’s Early Substitution in Chelsea’s Defeat at Manchester United
Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday at Old Trafford saw a number of talking points, but one of the key moments came in the 20th minute when Cole Palmer was substituted after a sharp recurrence of his groin injury.
The 23-year-old forward had started the match despite ongoing issues with the injury, which had already kept him out of Chelsea’s previous Premier League clashes against West Ham and Fulham. The early substitution raised questions over whether Maresca had made the right decision in playing Palmer, given his fitness struggles leading up to the game.
Maresca Opens Up on Palmer’s Injury
Speaking after the match, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer was not fully fit for the game, admitting that the winger had undergone a fitness test the morning of the match to assess his readiness.
“It’s a problem that has been with him for a long time,” Maresca said. “He did a test this morning, and despite not being 100 percent, he made a huge effort to play. He really wanted to be there for the team. Unfortunately, after 20 minutes, he started to feel something, so we decided to change him.”
This disclosure explains Palmer’s early exit, confirming that his recurring groin issue flared up again during the match. Despite the setback, Maresca praised Palmer’s commitment to pushing through the discomfort in an effort to help his team.
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Palmer’s Recent Struggles and Return
Cole Palmer had returned to action after an extended injury layoff, making his comeback as a second-half substitute in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Brentford on September 13. He followed that up with a starting appearance in the Champions League, where he scored in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich. However, Palmer’s fitness remained a concern, with reports suggesting that the forward “barely trained” leading up to the Manchester United fixture.
Despite the injury, Palmer’s desire to help Chelsea was evident, though his premature substitution has led to concerns about whether he should have been risked in the first place. His injury, combined with Chelsea’s stuttering start to the season, will certainly be a situation to watch closely in the coming weeks.
Chelsea’s Next Test
Looking ahead, Chelsea will aim to recover from their loss to Manchester United when they face Lincoln City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. With Palmer’s fitness still a key issue, Maresca will need to carefully manage the forward’s minutes in a season that has already seen Chelsea endure a series of injury concerns.
Chelsea’s 2025-26 campaign has yet to gain the momentum fans and players alike had hoped for, with the Blues having won just two of their opening six matches in all competitions. As the season progresses, Maresca will be hoping for greater fitness and stability across his squad to avoid further setbacks.
