Palmer pulled up during the warm-up ahead of Chelsea’s 5-1 win at West Ham, with manager Enzo Maresca revealing soon after that his player had been nursing a groin injury since before the season started.
The midfielder was subsequently ruled out of the 2-0 win over Fulham a week later, and remains a doubt to face Brentford this weekend.
Chelsea already know they will be without a host of players, including Levi Colwill, who will miss most of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Also sidelined Liam Delap, who suffered a hamstring injury in the win over Fulham. The striker will not require surgery but remains out until at least November.
Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile have been nursing injuries of their own — Lavia’s being a muscle problem — but both are approaching returns.
Dario Essugo suffered a thigh injury in training with Portugal Under-21s, which required surgery. The youngster now begins a period of recovery.
Maresca will consider whether to start Reece James or rest him, given the defender’s load is a perennial concern and he started both of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
Delap’s injury means Joao Pedro will lead the line, which could see Enzo Fernandez push up to the No10 position and Andrey Santos promoted to start alongside Caicedo. Teen star Estevao has started brightly at the club and could retain his place.
**Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1):** Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Estevao, Fernandez, Pedro Neto; Joao Pedro
**Doubts:** Palmer, Badiashile, Lavia
**Injured:** Colwill, Delap, Essugo
**Time and date:** 8pm BST on Saturday, September 13, 2025
**Venue:** Gtech Community Stadium
**TV channel:** Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League