Chelsea's preparations for their crucial FA Cup final showdown with Manchester United have been thrown into turmoil after a major injury scare to their standout performer, Cole Palmer.
The Premier League's Young Player of the Year was forced to abruptly leave a training session at Cobham this week after sustaining a fresh blow, creating immediate concern among coaching staff and teammates alike.
Palmer, who has been nothing short of sensational since his £42.5 million move from Manchester City, has been the shining light in an otherwise inconsistent Chelsea campaign. His potential absence would represent a catastrophic blow to the Blues' Wembley ambitions.
Training Ground Tension
Sources close to the club confirm that Palmer participated in initial warm-ups but was unable to complete the full session after feeling discomfort. Club medical staff immediately intervened, with the player undergoing assessment to determine the severity of the issue.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino now faces an agonising wait for diagnosis results, with the final just days away. The Argentine tactician had been counting on his talisman to provide the creative spark against their historic rivals.
Record-Breaking Season in Jeopardy
The timing could hardly be worse for the 22-year-old, who has netted an incredible 22 Premier League goals this season – putting him level with Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot. His contributions have been instrumental in Chelsea's late push for European qualification.
Palmer's remarkable campaign has seen him become the first Chelsea player since Frank Lampard to reach 30+ goal involvements in a single season, cementing his status as the club's most valuable asset.
Pochettino's Selection Headache
Should Palmer be ruled out, Pochettino faces a monumental selection dilemma. Alternatives such as Raheem Sterling or Mykhailo Mudryk would need to step up dramatically to fill the void left by the England international's potential absence.
The injury news comes as another bitter blow to Chelsea fans who have watched several key players struggle with fitness issues throughout the season. The club's medical department will work around the clock to give their star man every chance of featuring at Wembley.
All eyes will now be on Chelsea's final training sessions before the weekend, with Palmer's participation hanging in the balance. The next 48 hours will be critical in determining whether Chelsea's main man can lead the charge for silverware.
