Cole Palmer injury six weeks
Chelsea have confirmed that midfielder Cole Palmer is set to miss another six weeks after aggravating a recurring groin injury, dealing a major setback to the club’s campaign.
The injury first surfaced in August, but Palmer briefly returned to the field, scoring in matches against Brentford and Bayern Munich. However he suffered a relapse during a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in September, forcing him off the pitch early and ruling him out again.
Ahead of their match at Nottingham Forest, coach Enzo Maresca admitted he had misjudged the situation. He said, “I was wrong … unfortunately, he needs to be out for six more weeks.” Maresca underlined the need to preserve Palmer’s long-term fitness and confirmed that no surgery is planned at the moment, trusting medical staff to oversee a step-by-step recovery.
Palmer’s absence comes amid broader injury concerns at Chelsea. Defender Benoît Badiashile is sidelined until December with a muscle issue, and teammates Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, and Pedro Neto missed training just before the Nottingham Forest game, making their availability uncertain. Maresca still welcomed the return of Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, and Andrey Santos to the squad, which may help ease some of the strain.
With Palmer out, Chelsea’s schedule will become more challenging. He is expected to miss crucial league and Champions League fixtures during the next six weeks, including matches against Ajax and Sunderland. His absence also clouds his chance to reclaim a spot in England’s squad ahead of important World Cup qualifiers.
Chelsea now face the delicate task of maintaining momentum without one of their key attacking players. The club will need to rely on depth, rotation, and cautious injury management as Palmer works toward a full recovery.
