Key Takeaways:
- Cole Palmer will not return from his groin injury until after the November international break and is expected out for a further six weeks
- Maresca has confirmed additional long-term injuries for Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, and Benoit Badiashile, with Badiashile ruled out until December due to a muscle issue
- Palmer is set to miss nine matches across six weeks, including fixtures against Tottenham and Barcelona, though surgery is not required
Palmer’s Injury Setback Extends Chelsea Absences
Enzo Maresca has delivered an update regarding Cole Palmer’s recovery, noting that the midfielder’s groin injury will keep him out until at least December. Palmer, who has contended with this persistent issue throughout the season and the Club World Cup, has not featured since being substituted 20 minutes into Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester United just over a month ago.
Enzo Maresca on Cole Palmer 😮
"I was wrong, he needs to be out for six more weeks" pic.twitter.com/llgWgoQPgw
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 17, 2025
Maresca initially anticipated Palmer’s return in November but admitted, “I was wrong [about Palmer],” acknowledging that the England international is expected to miss another six weeks of action. According to Maresca, the focus is on ensuring Palmer is fully fit upon his return: “Unfortunately he needs to be out for six more weeks. We’re doing our best to protect Cole as much as possible. The most crucial thing is that when he returns, he’s in top form. Our medical team aren’t miracle workers. We’re hoping six weeks will suffice. We’ll have to take it one step at a time. But rest assured, he’ll be alright.”
Squad Fitness Update: Further Injury Concerns for Chelsea
Maresca outlined that several other players continue to remain unavailable. He stated, “Levi [Colwill] and Liam [Delap] are still out,” and confirmed that Benoit Badiashile faces a prolonged absence until December owing to a muscle problem: “Unfortunately Benoit [Badiashile] will be out until December, a muscle problem. We are going to wait for him.” The manager added that Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Joao Pedro had missed a recent training session and their availability would be assessed: “Moi [Caicedo], Enzo [Fernandez] and [Joao] Pedro did not take part in the session yesterday. We will see if they can train today. Reece is okay, he is fully fit.”
Despite Palmer not requiring surgery, the extended recovery period means he will be absent for nine upcoming fixtures, including pivotal encounters with Tottenham and Barcelona.
England Management Expresses Concern Over Palmer’s Condition
Earlier this month, England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed apprehension regarding Palmer’s groin injury and the possibility of it becoming a chronic problem. “He was only in the June camp,” Tuchel commented, reflecting on the player’s sporadic international availability. “That is concerning, of course.
“First of all, the most important thing is that he can play without pain, because the groin issue is a very dangerous one to become chronic.
This is the most important thing. When he’s fit and when he has rhythm and flow, he can decide matches on club level and, for sure, on international level. We know that.
There is also with him no problem at all [for me]. We clearly understand and see the potential and the quality, but there is also a reality that he was not available in five of the [last] seven camps, so right now there are two camps left before the World Cup.”
