Chelsea have a number of injury concerns ahead of the clash with Everton in the Premier League on Saturday
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Cole Palmer of Chelsea after the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Cole Palmer after the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on December 06, 2025
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Cole Palmer looks certain to start against Everton on Saturday in the Premier League after being rested for Chelsea’s midweek Champions League clash away to Atalanta. The Blues return to Stamford Bridge looking to extend their impressive recent form.
A 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest briefly lifted Everton up to fifth in the Premier League table, although victories for Crystal Palace and Manchester United later dropped them back to seventh.
Even so, the Blues remain just one point behind big-spending Chelsea, who were tipped for a title challenge following their 1-1 draw with Arsenal a fortnight ago.
Chelsea also have a demanding Champions League fixture on Tuesday at Atalanta. Palmer will not be involved, but head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed his absence is precautionary rather than injury-related.
“Cole, it’s part of the process at the moment,” Maresca said. “He can’t play two games in three days. It’s a way to protect him.”
Palmer’s season has been disrupted by injuries, with the England international battling a groin problem that kept him out for over two months.
He returned with a substitute appearance in the 3-1 loss to Leeds United before playing just under an hour in the draw at AFC Bournemouth.
Chelsea have further injury concerns ahead of the Everton match. Liam Delap has been ruled out after suffering a shoulder injury at Bournemouth.
“Unfortunately, he has already been out for two months and now he has to be out again,” Maresca said. “We don’t know for how long, but it looks quite bad—his shoulder.”
Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo remain sidelined, while key midfielder Moises Caicedo is suspended.
Everton may quietly fancy their chances given Chelsea’s absentees.
David Moyes will be boosted by the returns of Tim Iroegbunam and Idrissa Gueye from suspension.
However, the Blues' record at Stamford Bridge is dreadful. Their last Premier League victory there came in 1994, when Paul Rideout scored the only goal in a 1-0 win.
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