Chelsea's promising midfielder, Cole Palmer, has suffered a significant setback after a bizarre accident at home left him with a fractured toe, ruling him out of the Blues' upcoming critical fixtures.
A Costly Domestic Mishap
The 23-year-old player, who has been working his way back from a groin injury, sustained the new blow by stubbing his left toe against a door in the middle of the night. This unfortunate incident means he will be unavailable for selection as Chelsea face a demanding schedule.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the news, stating, "He is not available for [Burnley], for sure, Barcelona, for sure, Arsenal, for sure." Maresca expressed his frustration, adding, "Unfortunately, he has had an accident at home with his toe."
A Season Hampered by Injury
This new injury is a cruel twist in Palmer's difficult season. He has managed to play only three Premier League matches this campaign due to his initial groin problem. His last appearance was a brief 21-minute cameo in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in September.
Maresca admitted the team does not have a clear timeline for his recovery, saying, "The only thing we know is that he won't be available this week or next week." This news comes just as the player had shared positive updates from the gym at Chelsea's Cobham training base, signalling he was close to a return.
Significant Consequences for Chelsea
Palmer's absence is a severe blow to manager Maresca. Since his high-profile move from Manchester City, Palmer has been a crucial creative force for the team, amassing an impressive record of 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 appearances.
His talismanic presence will be sorely missed during a tough run of games against Burnley, FC Barcelona in European competition, and a Premier League clash with rivals Arsenal, all within the next 10 days.
In his absence, Joao Pedro has stepped up, providing four goals and three assists in 14 games. Despite the injury crisis, Chelsea currently hold a strong position in the league, sitting third in the table, just two points behind Manchester City and six behind leaders Arsenal.
