Chelsea Hit Hard As Enzo Maresca Rules Out Cole Palmer For Six Weeks

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that midfielder Cole Palmer will be out for another six weeks due to a groin injury.

The setback means Cole Palmer could miss up to ten matches, including key clashes against Arsenal and Barcelona.

Palmer, 23, has not featured since limping off during Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United on September 20.

Maresca had initially hoped the England international would return after the international break, but confirmed on Friday that the recovery will take longer than expected.

“I was wrong. Unfortunately, he needs to be out for probably six more weeks. So, yes, this is the update,” he said.

The Chelsea boss added that Palmer will not require surgery but stressed that the club wants to ensure he fully recovers before returning.

“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,” Maresca noted.

The Italian acknowledged that losing Palmer, who has been one of Chelsea’s most influential players since his move from Manchester City, is a major blow.

“For sure, we need to find a different solution, we need to find different skills, because we don’t have another player like Cole. Because Cole is unique,” he said.

Chelsea will face Nottingham Forest next, as Maresca looks for ways to fill the creative gap left by Palmer’s absence.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Football Association recently filed 74 charges against Chelsea for alleged breaches of agent payment rules spanning from 2009 to 2022.