Chelsea have received another injury setback as Cole Palmer is set to be out of action for six more weeks due to a recurring groin problem, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed.
Palmer first picked up the issue in August and had made a brief return, scoring against Brentford and Bayern Munich before eventually aggravating the injury during their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United earlier this month. The club had hoped that rest, rather than surgery, would suffice, but Maresca admitted he misjudged the recovery timeline. “I was wrong… unfortunately, he needs to be out for six more weeks,” he said.
The timing could scarcely be worse for Chelsea. Palmer’s absence will rule him out of upcoming games in the Premier League and Champions League, including clashes with Nottingham Forest, Ajax, and Sunderland. Maresca also expressed concern over the difficulty of replacing him, noting that the club does not have another player quite like Palmer in terms of impact and versatility.
Chelsea’s defensive woes further compound the situation. Benoît Badiashile is expected to be sidelined until December with a muscle injury, while Levi Colwill continues his recovery from an ACL issue. Other players including Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, and Pedro Neto missed training recently, adding to the uncertainty in squad selection.
Maresca emphasised that Palmer seems calm and is committed to his rehabilitation. He said the medical staff would monitor progress “step by step,” with the priority being that Palmer returns fully fit. The club will be hoping that despite the extended absence, he can recover without needing further interventions.
For Chelsea, this is a serious blow. The squad must now adapt without one of their most creative and dynamic attacking options, at a time when depth and consistency are more crucial than ever
