Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is set to remain sidelined until after the upcoming international break in November, according to manager Enzo Maresca.
The manager spoke to the press ahead of Chelsea’s 7:30am ET kickoff against Nottingham Forest this Saturday in the Premier League.
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“We are doing everything we can to ensure Cole’s safe recovery; it’s crucial he returns in peak physical condition,” Maresca stated. “We’re optimistic that six weeks will suffice, but we will assess his progress carefully, step by step. I’m confident he will be fine.”
Maresca noted that Palmer is handling his recovery well and that the team is hopeful surgery won’t be necessary. The young midfielder has been off the pitch since his premature departure during a match against Manchester United last month.
“But the medical staff aren’t miracle workers,” Maresca added, via the BBC. “Healing takes about six weeks, and we hope that will be enough. It’s a process that requires careful monitoring week by week.”
Cole Palmer’s Injury History
Despite being fouled frequently in the Premier League, Palmer has generally proven to be resilient during his three years at Chelsea.
He missed only a few games due to a yellow card suspension and illness during his first year at Stamford Bridge, and just one match the following season — a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal — caused by a hamstring issue.
The current groin injury occurred after he played a full match against Crystal Palace in the season opener and has kept him out of wins against West Ham and Fulham. He did make a 34-minute appearance, scoring a vital goal in a 2-2 tie against Brentford in Week 4, but his injury reoccurred early in Week 5. As a result, he has also missed matches against Brighton, Liverpool, and a Champions League victory over Benfica.
Prior to joining Chelsea, Palmer spent nearly three months sidelined during the 2021-22 season at Manchester City due to a foot injury.
What Matches Will Chelsea’s Cole Palmer Miss?
Palmer’s absence is compounded by other injuries within the team, but Chelsea’s upcoming schedule offers some favorable matchups.
In the Premier League, they’ll face Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Spurs, Wolves, Burnley, and Arsenal in the next six weeks.
Additionally, they will compete against Wolves in the League Cup and have Champions League fixtures against Ajax, Qarabag, and Barcelona.
Chelsea will be hoping for positive news on Palmer’s recovery before a demanding week that features both Barcelona and Arsenal visiting Stamford Bridge in a span of just five days.