Cole Palmer fractured the little toe on his left foot earlier this week and subsequently being ruled out of the next three matches
13:22, 21 Nov 2025Updated 13:23, 21 Nov 2025
Cole Palmer
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Cole Palmer has fractured a toe on his left foot(Image: James Gill - Danehouse)
Chelsea have had a specially-adapted football boot made for Cole Palmer in order to help the 23-year-old return from the freak injury he suffered earlier this week.
Palmer was due to train with the Blues in Cobham on Thursday after recovering from a groin injury that has kept him out of action since September 20. Enzo Maresca previously said that the club were hoping for the England international to return for the double-header against Barcelona and Arsenal next week, but the Chelsea attacker suffered a bizarre injury while at home.
The former Manchester City youngster stubbed the little toe on his left foot on a door and has fractured it. "He's not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona, for sure, Arsenal, for sure," Maresca said in Friday morning's press conference. "Unfortunately he had an accident at home two days ago and he hit his toe."
The Blues head coach continued: "He was very close [to returning]. He was back with us almost with the groin [injury] and it's very good news. And then again, he had this small problem and hopefully it is nothing important."
football.london understands Chelsea have now had a specially-adapted boot made to go on Palmer's foot as the club look to speed up his recovery from the latest setback. The Blues are hopeful that with the help of this special boot, Palmer will be able to get on the grass next week and train with his teammates as he looks to return for a hectic schedule of fixtures. It is fairly standard practice when the little toe is affected to make adjustments to the inside of the protective boot - and Chelsea will be hoping that helps Palmer.
Chelsea have been without Palmer for over two months now. In that time, the Blues have played 11 matches in all competitions - winning eight, drawing two and losing just once. Maresca is happy with how his players have adapted without the talismanic figure, but the Italian is desperate to have Palmer as an option once again.
Maresca said: "I think that the teammates are better players with Cole playing. I feel much better when Cole is on the pitch, and we all want Cole on the pitch. At the same time, when Cole is not on the pitch, we need to find a solution.
"The team is doing fantastic, it's doing very well. Also, I think for any manager it is nice when you miss a player, but at the end the team still plays in the way we want to play. It's good, but again, we are better with Cole."
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