It’s like Gravelotte! As was feared, the start of this 2025/2026 season is marked by an incredible cascade of injuries among major European clubs, and especially those who participated in the Club World Cup. Moreover, after the problems at Paris Saint-Germain, it is Chelsea's turn to have to deal with the problems. Seventh in the Premier League table, the Blues are forced to do without the services of Cole Palmer for some time to come.
Since the start of the season, the young 23-year-old attacking midfielder has been hampered by hamstring problems. He also ended up coming off injured in the 21st minute during the clash against Manchester United on September 20. A few days later, his coach, Enzo Maresca, explained that Chelsea had decided to put him in the fridge until the end of the international break in October. “We decided to protect Cole so his groin injury wouldn't get worse. So we'll leave him to rest for the next two or three weeks, probably until the international break. It's just about managing the pain. With the number of matches played, this can happen.»
Maresca was wrong
Today, Maresca just announced at a press conference that his diagnosis was ultimately not the right one for Palmer. The latter is still far from having finished with his groin problem. “I was mistaken. Unfortunately, he will likely have to sit out for another six weeks. We're just trying to protect Cole as much as possible, and the most important thing is that he's in great shape when he comes back“, he confided, before adding that Palmer will be absent from the field for six weeks, but that his medical staff had finally understood the causes of the illness from which the attacking midfielder was suffering.
“Yes, but medical staff are not magicians. You never know. It will probably take six weeks. We hope that six weeks will be enough, but this is an issue that we need to look at step by step, week by week. But one thing is certain, he will get through it. He looks in great shape. He seems relaxed. He is trying to recover from his injury. He is undergoing all the necessary treatments. He looks in great shape“. It remains to be seen when Cole Palmer will make his return. One thing is certain: the Englishman hopes not to waste any more time, his presence at the next World Cup having been called into question by his country's press.
