Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that midfielder Cole Palmer will remain out of action for another six weeks due to injury, extending his spell on the sidelines far longer than initially anticipated.
Palmer, 23, has not featured since Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United on September 20, when he was forced off midway through the first half. Maresca had initially expressed optimism that the England international would return after the international break, but the latest update paints a different picture.
“I was wrong. Unfortunately, he needs to be out probably six more weeks. So, yes, this is the update,” Maresca said during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Despite the setback, the Chelsea boss assured fans that Palmer’s injury would not require surgery. “We try just to protect Cole as much as we can, and the most important thing is that when he comes back he’s fully recovered,” he added.
Palmer’s absence is a major blow to Chelsea, who have struggled for consistency in the Premier League this season. Maresca acknowledged the challenge of coping without one of his most influential players, describing the midfielder as irreplaceable.
“For sure, we need to find a different solution, we need to find different skills, because we don’t have another player like Cole,” Maresca said. “Because Cole is unique.”
Chelsea face Nottingham Forest on Saturday, hoping to find form in the absence of their star player as they continue to navigate a challenging campaign under Maresca’s leadership.
What you should know
Cole Palmer has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers since joining from Manchester City in 2023, becoming a key creative force for the Blues.
His injury layoff leaves a significant gap in Maresca’s squad as Chelsea push to climb the Premier League table in the coming weeks.
