Chelsea has been dealt a major setback as star midfielder Cole Palmer has been ruled out for up to six weeks following an injury sustained during training earlier this week.
According to club sources, medical scans confirmed that the 22-year-old suffered a muscle strain, forcing him to miss several key fixtures as the Blues continue their push for a top-four Premier League finish.
Palmer, who has been Chelsea’s most consistent performer this season, has contributed heavily in goals and assists since his move from Manchester City, quickly becoming a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge.
Manager Enzo Maresca described the injury as a “huge loss,” emphasising that the team must now rely on other attacking options such as Estevão Willian and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to fill the creative void.
“Unfortunately, he needs to be out for probably six more weeks; this is the update,” Maresca outlined at his pre-match press conference (via the Chelsea website) ahead of our trip to the City Ground.
“We try to protect Cole as much as we can, and the most important thing is that when he comes back, he is fully fit. We hope the six weeks will be enough, but it’s a problem that we need to look at step by step, week by week, but for sure he is going to be okay.”
“It’s tough losing a player of Cole’s quality. He’s been central to everything we do,” Maresca said.
Palmer is expected to return to light training in late November, with the club’s medical team monitoring his recovery closely to reintegrate him into the team for the rest of the season.
