Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer – who has been the Blues' talisman since moving from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 – is set to face another spell on the sidelines after fracturing his toe in an accident at home. He is set to miss Premier League matches against Arsenal and Burnley and against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Palmer, 23 and widely regarded as one of the best penalty takers in world football, had just about returned to training after a prolonged spell away from action thanks to a groin injury.
Having dedicated a lot of his time in recent weeks to making a full recovery, Stamford Bridge boss Enzo Maresca was hopeful that Palmer – who has scored 45 goals and provided 29 assists in 101 games for the west Londoners since his arrival – would be back in contention for what will be their hardest three-match run since the start of the campaign.
Palmer Ruled Out for Chelsea's Next Three Matches with Bizarre Injury
Cole Palmer in action for Chelsea
Chelsea manager Maresca, however, has revealed the Englishman will be unavailable for Saturday's trip to Turf Moor to face Scott Parker's Burnley, Tuesday's showpiece encounter against Barcelona in Europe and next weekend's domestic clash against league leaders and fellow capital club, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
Per The Daily Mail, Maresca has confirmed that Palmer will not be available. "He was very close. He was back with us almost with the groin, which is very good news, but has has this small problem," the Italian manager said in his pre-match press conference.
"He's probably not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona for sure and Arsenal for sure. Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe but it is nothing important. But he won't back in the next week. His toe is fractured."
More to follow...