Chelsea's travelling squad for their Champions League showdown with Napoli has been confirmed and the Blues have been handed a massive boost regarding Cole Palmer's fitness
18:44, 27 Jan 2026Updated 19:05, 27 Jan 2026
Cole Palmer
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Cole Palmer ahead of Chelsea's draw with Manchester City(Image: Visionhaus)
Cole Palmer is among the Chelsea squad travelling to Naples for Wednesday evening's mammoth Champions League showdown with Napoli.
The Blues need to win in Italy to secure a place in the knockout stages of Europe's elite competition and, crucially, avoid next month's two-legged playoff tie.
However, a win might not be enough for Chelsea on Wednesday night at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. It will depend on what other sides do in terms of their goal difference, with the Blues one of eight teams on 13 points going into the final matchday of the league phase.
Liam Rosenior has been massively boosted, though, with Palmer travelling to Naples. The 23-year-old, who has struggled with muscular injuries throughout the season, has missed the last two matches against Pafos and Crystal Palace because of a thigh problem.
Palmer trained on Monday and Tuesday in Cobham and was among those on the plane to Italy.
The former Hull City and Strasbourg head coach admitted that the England international is indispensable to the Blues.
He said: "Yes and yes. Cole is an incredible player. I'm not surprised at the timing - a new manager comes in and a player is unsettled. It's not true.
"There's no reason for an assurance. It's so unrealistic. It's come from nowhere. There is no need to have the conversation. Cole is happy.
"You can't stop speculation but some speculation is so far from the truth, there is no point having a conversation about it."
Rosenior's standoff comments come amid speculation that Palmer is unhappy in the capital and is eyeing a move back to the North West.
The England international has been linked with a sensational move across Manchester to Man United, despite spending his formative years with City.
Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Robert Sanchez, Freddy Bernal, Max Merrick
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Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato, Reece James
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos
Forwards: Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrique George, Jamie Gittens, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian