Cole Palmer has not featured for Chelsea since the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Manchester United on September 20 due to a groin issue
09:45, 21 Nov 2025Updated 09:52, 21 Nov 2025
Cole Palmer
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Cole Palmer has been sidelined for the past two months for Chelsea
Enzo Maresca has revealed Cole Palmer has been dealt a fresh injury setback after fracturing his toe at home.
The Chelsea playmaker had been closing in on a return from a long-term groin issue but he has now been ruled out of the Blues' next three matches, as per Maresca.
The Italian said ahead of the trip to Burnley: "He is probably not available for tomorrow, for sure, Barcelona, for sure, Arsenal, for sure.
"Unfortunately he had an accident at home with his toe. But it's nothing important. For sure he is not back next week."
When pushed on Palmer's latest issue, Maresca added: "We don't know. It's fractured. The only thing we know is he is not available for this week and next week.
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"The last time I saw him was yesterday morning and he was without socks, without flip-flops, without nothing.
"I don't know how he is today. It was in the changing room. He wasn't limping, he seemed okay, but it's his small toe, so it can be painful."
Palmer has made just four appearances this season to date. Three of those appearances have come in the Premier League where the attacking midfielder has played just 145 minutes of action in total.
The England international's last cameo came in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United in September when he was forced off after just 21 minutes.
The Blues had been optimistic that he was in line to return before the end of the month having missed 16 games this season in all competitions.
Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring a goal for Chelsea
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Cole Palmer injured his toe during a bizarre accident at home(Image: Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
In more positive news, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez and Benoit Badiashile will all be available for the trip to Burnley.
Neto was forced to withdraw from the Portugal squad that was humiliated by the Republic of Ireland in Dublin during the international break.
He picked up a groin issue after scoring in Chelsea's 3-0 demolition of Wolves and later asked Maresca to be substituted but has since made a recovery.
Midfield maestro Fernandez also pulled out of the Argentina squad due to knee pain as he continues to battle a painful bone edema - which is effectively a build-up of fluid that can cause stiffness.
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He was pictured in training with Chelsea at Cobham in the past few days, however, after sitting out of Argentina's friendly victory over Angola in Africa.
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