Cole Palmer is expected to be out of contention for the next six weeks, according to Enzo Maresca. The 23-year-old has only played a few times this season, and his absence makes things even harder for a team that is already struggling to select players for different competitions.
Chelsea now have to plan for an important stretch of games without last season’s best creative player, who Maresca has called “unique in his structure.” Palmer last played in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United on September 20. Since then, he has missed four games in a row while the club’s medical staff monitored a recurring groin issue.
Maresca said on Friday that the winger will be out for another six weeks, meaning he won’t be able to return until late November. He told the press:
“I was wrong [about Palmer]. Unfortunately, he needs to be out for six more weeks. We try to protect Cole as much as we can. The most important thing is that when he comes back, he is fully fit. The medical staff are not magicians. We hope six weeks are enough. We need to see it step by step. For sure, he’s going to be okay.”
This means that Chelsea will be without their best penalty taker and a key ball carrier in the right half space. If the diagnosis is correct, a targeted return for the home game against Arsenal on Sunday, November 30, could change the momentum at Stamford Bridge.
Which games will Cole Palmer miss for Chelsea?
Cole Palmer will be out for six more weeks as Chelsea add up the costs. The Blues have to get through a tough block without their best creator, whose groin injury has gotten worse.
The 23-year-old last played in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United. Now he will miss nine club games and two England qualifiers. His absence will see the Blues face Nottingham Forest, then Ajax at home in the Champions League, and Sunderland at home, and finally Wolves in the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea then play Tottenham, go to Qarabag, play Wolves again in the league, and end the window in November with a trip to Burnley and a game against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. England’s Group K schedule has Serbia at Wembley on November 13 and Albania away on November 16. Palmer will probably not be there for either game.