Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that Cole Palmer’s injury, which will keep him out for another six weeks, is a huge blow to the club.
The 23-year-old has been Chelsea’s star performer since joining the club from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, but it now looks like Chelsea will have to cope without him for an extended period of time.
Maresca previously thought Palmer was close to returning, but admitted in a press conference this morning that he was wrong.
See below. The Italian tactician now says Palmer is expected to be out for a further six weeks, but the positive update is that it looks like he won’t need surgery…
Enzo Maresca and Cole Palmer’s injury
“I was wrong (to return before the international break),” Maresca said in response to the first question from reporters.
“Unfortunately he will have to be out for another six weeks. This is the latest information.”
Asked if he still needs surgery, he said: “Yes. We’re trying to protect Cole as much as we can. It’s important that he’s fully healthy when he comes back.”
“Medical staff are not magicians. We need six weeks and we hope six weeks is enough. We need to look at this step by step, week by week.”
“He seems to be doing very well. He’s relaxed. He’s trying to recover.”
Can Chelsea do without Cole Palmer?
Fortunately, Chelsea have a deep squad and plenty of talented attacking players for Maresca to choose from.
Still, there is no doubt that the likes of Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto, Estebao Willian, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Buonanotte will struggle to step up in Palmer’s absence, and there are few players who can match the performance of the England international.
It’s also a worry for Palmer, who is in a World Cup year and wants to be at his best on the pitch in order to earn a place in England’s squad for next summer’s tournament in America.