Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has made a surprising return to outdoor training less than a week after suffering a broken little toe, providing a major boost for the Blues ahead of their crucial Premier League fixture against Arsenal.
Remarkable Recovery Progress
The 23-year-old England international, who injured his left foot after accidentally kicking a door at home, has been spotted training on grass while wearing a specially modified boot to aid his recovery. Despite the significant injury occurring less than seven days ago, Palmer is already back touching the ball and participating in limited sessions.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admitted he would be surprised if Palmer features in Sunday's showdown with league leaders Arsenal, but notably refused to completely rule out the possibility. The Italian coach confirmed: "He's already on the pitch, he's already touching the ball, so I think that's good."
Champions League Absence Confirmed
While Palmer's rapid progress offers hope for the weekend, Maresca has definitively ruled the playmaker out of tomorrow night's Champions League encounter against FC Barcelona. This represents a significant blow for Chelsea as they face one of European football's giants without their creative talisman.
The manager outlined his immediate priorities, stating: "We are here for tomorrow's match, which is the Champions League one, and after that, tomorrow, we start thinking about Arsenal." Maresca revealed he had spoken with Palmer recently about his condition but hadn't pressed for specific medical details about the toe fracture.
Defining Week for Chelsea's Season
Maresca described the current period as "a seismic week" for Chelsea, with matches against Barcelona and Arsenal representing crucial tests of the team's credentials. However, he emphasised that the challenges don't end there, noting upcoming fixtures against Leeds, Bournemouth and Atalanta.
"It's a big week, but at the end of this week, then we have Leeds away, Bournemouth away, Atalanta away, so it's another big one," Maresca explained. "It's always an important week. All are important matches."
When questioned about potential future opportunities in Spain, possibly even with Barcelona, Maresca remained firmly focused on his current role at Chelsea. The former Manchester City coach credited Pep Guardiola's Barcelona team as his inspiration for becoming a manager, acknowledging their revolutionary impact on football across multiple countries.
Palmer's unexpected return to training provides Chelsea with renewed optimism during a demanding schedule that could define their season. While his participation against Arsenal remains uncertain, his rapid recovery demonstrates the player's determination to contribute during this critical period.
