Chelsea are sweating over the fitness of a number of key stars.placeholder image
Chelsea are sweating over the fitness of a number of key stars. | Getty Images
The latest Chelsea injury news following Cole Palmer and Liam Delap setbacks
Chelsea have enjoyed a fine start to the new league season and enter the international break unbeaten and in second position with a commendable seven points from three matches. The Blues are already seeing the benefits of adding Joao Pedro to their frontline, with the former Brighton man delivering four goal contributions in his first three matches while the likes of Estêvão and Jamie Gittens look as if they have the potential to add a fresh dimension to the team in terms of creativity.
With that in mind, we take a look at the latest injury news on Chelsea’s stricken players below, along with updates on their expected return dates when available.
When will Cole Palmer return from injury?
Cole Palmer has now missed the last two matches due to a pre-existing groin injury which was only discovered in the build-up to the 5-1 win over West Ham. The former Manchester City playmaker was ruled out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the international break and now faces a battle to regain fitness ahead of an important month of football with games against Brentford, Bayern Munich and Manchester United all on the horizon.
Enzo Maresca has described Palmer’s situation as being “day by day,” which suggests that the prognosis is not as bad as first feared, but the creative midfielder has yet to return to training at Cobham. Minor groin strains can typically heal within two weeks, but a more serious grade two strain could sideline Palmer for up to six weeks. He is likely to return after the international break.
Liam Delap and Romeo Lavia injury latest
Summer signing Liam Delap has started Chelsea’s last two matches but will now be stuck on the sidelines for an extended period due to a hamstring injury that he picked up during the 2-0 win over Fulham. It’s a blow to his hopes of making his England debut and also leaves a greater workload on Joao Pedro in a busy month of action.
His injury is expected to rule him out for somewhere between six to eight weeks, meaning at the earliest he could return to lead the line against Nottingham Forest in mid-October, although it’s a situation that needs to be handled carefully at this point in time.
Elsewhere, midfielder Romeo Lavia is close to returning from a muscle injury. The Belgian’s had a difficult time with injuries since joining from Southampton but should be back in the squad later this month, with the Brentford game reportedly coming too early for the 21-year-old. The visit of Brighton at the end of the month should be his target.
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