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

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca recently addressed the media regarding Cole Palmer’s fractured toe sustained last Wednesday.

During a press conference, Maresca stated, “He is likely unavailable for Saturday’s match, definitely for the game against Barcelona, and also not for Arsenal. He had an accident at home where he injured his toe. While it is not a serious injury, he will not return in the upcoming week. Accidents happen; I frequently wake up at night and bump into things myself.”

In anticipation of Chelsea’s Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday, Maresca provided a more optimistic update on Palmer’s condition.

“Yes, Cole is currently in a protective boot. While we cannot specify when he will return, it will be soon. He is already on the pitch, touching the ball, and feeling good,” Maresca remarked. “Our immediate focus remains on tomorrow’s game against Barcelona. Although it seems unlikely he will be available for these two matches, he is progressing well.”

Despite the setback, Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella expressed skepticism about the injury’s circumstances.

“I must admit I find it hard to believe. Injuries like this can occur, and I have experienced similar situations myself, but I feel strong and unaffected by them. It’s disappointing for us, as he was nearing a return to training. However, this is part of life as professional footballers; we have personal lives and face various challenges. We hope for a swift recovery for him,” Cucurella stated. When asked about the incident, he humorously speculated, “I think he was running because he lost a FIFA game or something!”

This year has been challenging for Palmer, who after a stellar initial season with Chelsea following his transfer from Manchester City, has faced injury struggles and a scoring drought. Last season, he managed to score consistently, but this year he has been limited to just four appearances due to a persistent groin issue.

Back in late September, Maresca highlighted the need to protect Palmer: “We must ensure Cole’s well-being, absolutely. This goes beyond just him; given the demands of the Club World Cup and the continuous playing schedule, we must manage and safeguard several players. The nature of Cole’s injury is complex. Some days he may feel better, while on others, he might not. We’ll continue to assess his situation daily in consultation with our medical staff.”

Palmer’s contributions have been vital, scoring two goals in just over 230 minutes of play, and his return would significantly strengthen Chelsea’s attack. Fans are eager for his swift recovery.

Although Chelsea experienced a slight dip earlier this season, they have rebounded with three consecutive victories, placing them second in the Premier League standings. This week poses a potential turning point as they face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night, followed by a clash with London rivals and league leaders Arsenal on Sunday. Securing victories in both matches could greatly enhance the team’s confidence; however, adverse outcomes might present a more challenging outlook.