The crucial matches Cole Palmer could miss for Chelsea as fresh blow emerges
Enzo Maresca is being forced to deal with yet another injury setback following the latest update on Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.
Liam Delap injured his hamstring against Fulham back in August, with multiple players now joining him in the treatment room as an ever-growing list continues to emerge at Stamford Bridge.
Reece James pulled out of the latest England squad due to precautionary reasons, with Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile both leaving the pitch early during their huge win over Liverpool.
Now, the manager has to deal with an even bigger blow as his side prepare for upcoming Premier League and Champions League clashes after the international window comes to a close.
Cole Palmer will be sidelined until November
Palmer will not return to action for Chelsea until November, and while the player does not require surgery on his groin injury, he will miss “weeks”, rather than days or weeks at Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old is likely to play again in November, but even after the latest news on his setback, it is not exactly clear whether he could feature before the second international break of the campaign next month.
He has been playing through the pain ever since the Club World Cup, where he was sensational as the Blues lifted the trophy against PSG, but it has been clear in his performances so far this term.
In just four matches since the summer tournament, he has played two full 90-minute matches, scoring two goals but looking nothing like his usual self in the final third.
The matches which Palmer could miss for Chelsea
Below is the list of the Blues’ matches in October and November, though it is unclear exactly when he will return in the second month.
October
- 18 October: Premier League, Nottingham Forest (A)
- 22 October: Champions League, Ajax (H)
- 25 October: Premier League, Sunderland (H)
- 29 October: Carabao Cup, Wolves (A)
November
- 1 November: Premier League, Tottenham (A)
- 5 November: Champions League, Qarabag (A)
- 8 November: Premier League, Wolves (H)
- 22 November: Premier League, Burnley (A)
- 25 November: Champions League, Barcelona (H)
- 30 November: Premier League, Arsenal (H)
Palmer could feature against any of the teams in November, but given how crucial games against Barcelona and Arsenal will be, Maresca may not want to rush him back to the pitch.