Chelsea Coach Updates on Cole Palmer’s Injury Status

omidbasir- Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca addressed the situation regarding Cole Palmer, who fractured his toe on his preferred left foot last Wednesday. During a press conference, Maresca stated, “He is probably not available for Saturday, definitely not for Barcelona, or Arsenal. Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he injured his toe. It is not serious, but he will be sidelined for at least a week. I often wake up at night and hit my head or legs, so such accidents can happen.”

Ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday, the former Leicester City manager offered a more optimistic update on Palmer’s condition. “Yes, Cole is currently in a protective boot. We cannot specify when he will return, but it will be soon. He is already on the pitch, touching the ball, and feeling good,” Maresca remarked. “Right now, our focus is solely on tomorrow’s game against Barcelona, and then we will consider the match against Arsenal. I don’t anticipate him being available for either of those games, but he is progressing well.”

While some may sympathize with Palmer’s latest setback, Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella questioned the circumstances surrounding the injury. He commented, “To be fair, I don’t believe it. These incidents can happen, and I’ve experienced a few myself, but I am resilient to them, so I don’t feel affected. It’s disappointing for us because he was getting close to returning to training with the team, and now he needs to rest. However, this is part of life for footballers; we all have personal lives and face these types of challenges. I hope he recovers quickly.”

When asked what Palmer was doing when the injury occurred, Cucurella joked, “I don’t really know. Maybe he was running because he lost a FIFA game or something!”

The year 2025 has been challenging for Palmer, following a stellar initial period at Chelsea after his transfer from Manchester City. The England international has faced injury setbacks and goal droughts this season, being limited to just four appearances due to a persistent groin issue.

In late September, Maresca emphasized the need to manage Palmer’s condition carefully: “We must protect Cole, without a doubt. It is not just him; we need to manage various players due to the demands of the Club World Cup and the continuous schedule. We will discuss the best approach with the medical staff. This type of injury is not straightforward; recovery can vary from day to day. Therefore, we must handle it with caution.”

Despite only having played just over 230 minutes this season, Palmer managed to score two goals, highlighting the potential impact he could have on the team if fit. Chelsea fans eagerly await his return to bolster the squad.

The FIFA Club World Cup champions have experienced a slight dip earlier in the season, but after achieving three consecutive victories, they now sit second in the Premier League. This week is crucial as they prepare to face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and their London rivals Arsenal on Sunday. Securing victories in both matches could greatly enhance the players’ confidence, while adverse results may lead to a more challenging outlook.