The latest Chelsea injury news ahead of their game against Brentford - including updates on Cole Palmer.
Chelsea return to Premier League action this Saturday when they make the short trip across London to face Keith Andrews’ Brentford – but may be heading into the match without as many as six first-team players, including Cole Palmer.
The talismanic midfielder missed Chelsea’s last two matches and was forced to withdraw from the England squad due to a groin issue and is a doubt for this weekend’s game, while at least one player picked up a fresh injury while away on international duty.
We’ve got all the latest news on the players who are out or doubts for this weekend’s match below, along with their expected return dates when available.
Will Cole Palmer be fit to play against Brentford?
The biggest question mark hangs over the head of Palmer, who aggravated a pre-existing groin injury during the warm-up ahead of Chelsea’s win over West Ham United and hasn’t featured since as a consequence.
Enzo Maresca has refused to be drawn on whether Palmer will be available for the game against Brentford, so far saying only that the midfielder was “day to day”, but reports prior to the international break suggested that his lay-off would be a short one and that his withdrawal from the England squad was largely precautionary.
Further cause for optimism was provided by a training image released by the club earlier in the week which appeared to show Palmer lacing up his boots in the background, suggesting that he has been able to take at least some part in activities at Cobham. There is no certainty that Palmer will play on Saturday, but it looks more likely than not so long as he comes through training intact.
Will Alejandro Garnacho make his debut?
There is also some doubt surrounding the potential participation of new summer signing Alejandro Garnacho, who hasn’t played a match of any kind since May and is likely to be short of full match fitness.
There are no specific injury concerns surrounding the Argentine winger but Maresca has yet to provide any detailed information regarding his availability as he works his way back to match readiness – he is not expected to start against Brentford, but could at least be ready for the bench.
Other doubts include midfielder Roméo Lavia and Benoît Badiashile, who are both working their way back following unspecified muscular issues. Both were supposedly expected to be ready for action shortly after the international break, but it is as yet unclear as to whether the Brentford match will come too soon. They are expected back by the end of the month at the latest, although with no information available as to the precise nature of the injuries either player has suffered, there is considerable room for doubt.
Liam Delap is a long-term absentee thanks to a serious hamstring and is expected to be sidelined for up to six more weeks. The game against Sunderland on 25 October is perhaps the earliest plausible return date, with every chance that he will miss another week or two more than that.
Dario Essugo injured on international duty – but João Pedro should be fine
The international break claimed one Chelsea victim - £18.5m summer signing Dario Essugo sustained a thigh injury while training with Portugal’s Under-21s and is expected to miss a substantial amount of time after undergoing surgery.
The club have confirmed that the surgery was “successful” but did not offer a timeline for the 20-year-old’s return to action, although given the nature of the injury it would be a pleasant surprise if Essugo was able to play again in 2025.
There was also a scare for striker João Pedro, who appeared to vomit on the pitch following a collision with his team-mate Gabriel Martinelli while playing for Brazil in World Cup qualifying – but Pedro was able to continue and there do not appear to have been any long-term adverse effects. Pedro, who has managed five Chelsea goals in just six appearances so far, should be ready to play against Brentford this weekend.
Continue Reading