Chelsea’s injury woes look far from over as Enzo Maresca has shared shocking new details on Cole Palmer’s injury and possible return date.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer will remain sidelined for another six weeks as he continues his recovery from a groin injury.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been out of action since aggravating the issue during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United last month.
His extended absence means he could miss up to nine more games, including the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on November 1, the Champions League encounter with Barcelona on November 25, and possibly the meeting with Arsenal on November 30.
Although Maresca had previously played down the severity of Palmer’s injury, he admitted this week that the setback is worse than initially feared. “I was wrong, unfortunately,” he said. “Cole will probably be out for another six weeks. We’re doing everything to make sure he comes back fully fit. The medical team are doing their best, but these things take time. We’ll monitor him week by week, but we’re confident he’ll be fine.”
The Italian coach emphasized that Palmer’s absence is a major blow, describing him as “one of the best players in the Premier League.” He noted, however, that Chelsea’s squad depth will be tested as they look for alternative options.
“Replacing Cole isn’t easy because he’s unique,” Maresca said. “Depending on the game, we’ve tried different players, Malo Gusto against Liverpool, Facundo Buonanotte against Benfica, but each game requires a different approach.”
Despite missing their influential playmaker, Chelsea have managed to win three of their last four matches, including an impressive 2-1 victory over Liverpool.
In addition to Palmer’s setback, defender Benoit Badiashile will also be out until December after picking up a muscle injury in the Liverpool match. Meanwhile, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo will undergo late fitness assessments ahead of Saturday’s game against Nottingham Forest after missing training.
There is some positive news for the Blues, with Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Andrey Santos all returning to full fitness. Captain Reece James, who recently withdrew from England duty, is also available for selection, with the club confirming that his issue was only minor.