Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca Provides Update on Cole Palmer’s Injury Status

omidbasir- Shortly after fracturing his toe on his favored left foot last Wednesday, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca addressed the situation in a press conference.

The Italian manager stated, “He is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure, or Arsenal for sure. Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It is nothing serious, but he won’t be back next week. I wake up many times during the night—I’ve hit my head, my legs, everything—so it can happen.”

Ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday, Maresca offered a more optimistic update regarding Palmer’s condition.

“Yes, Cole is wearing a protective boot. We don’t have a specific timeline for his return, but it will be soon. He’s already on the pitch, touching the ball, and his feelings are positive,” Maresca commented. “For now, our focus is solely on tomorrow’s game against Barcelona. We will look ahead to Arsenal afterward. I don’t anticipate his availability for these two matches, but he is making good progress.”

While many would sympathize with Palmer’s recent setback, Chelsea left-back Cucurella expressed skepticism regarding the injury’s circumstances.

He remarked, “To be fair, I don’t believe it. Injuries can happen, and I’ve experienced this a couple of times, but I’m stronger than them, so I don’t feel anything. It’s frustrating for us because he was getting closer to training with the team again, and now he needs to take a break. But this is part of life and the lives of footballers; we have personal lives that come with these challenges, so hopefully he recovers quickly.”

When asked about Palmer’s situation, Cucurella jokingly replied, “I don’t know. He’s running because I think he lost a FIFA game or something like that, I think!”

This year has proven to be challenging for Palmer. After an impressive period following his transfer from Manchester City, the England international has struggled with injuries and scoring difficulties. He enjoyed a prolific first year at Stamford Bridge, but this season, a persistent groin issue has limited him to just four appearances across all competitions.

In late September, Maresca emphasized the need to protect Palmer, stating, “We need to protect Cole for sure, 100%. This extends beyond him, as we must manage and safeguard various players amid competitions like the Club World Cup. The solution for Cole is still being determined in consultation with the medical staff. It’s not a straightforward injury; some days he may feel better, while other days may be worse. Therefore, we need to manage it on a day-to-day basis.”

Despite scoring two goals in just over 230 minutes of play, Chelsea’s performance could have been even stronger with him in the lineup. Fans are eager for his swift return.

The FIFA Club World Cup champions faced a slight wobble earlier this season, but after three consecutive victories, they currently sit in second place in the Premier League. This week could be pivotal, as they host Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night, followed by a match against league leaders Arsenal on Sunday. Winning both fixtures could significantly boost the team’s confidence, whereas unfavorable outcomes may dampen their outlook.