Chelsea's Crucial Blow: Palmer's Bizarre Injury
Chelsea's attacking plans have been dealt a severe blow after key playmaker Cole Palmer fractured his little toe by stubbing it on a door at home. The freak accident occurred on Wednesday night, just hours before he was scheduled to return to full team training following a two-month absence due to a groin injury.
Midnight Call and Shattered Plans
Head coach Enzo Maresca received the devastating news in a late-night phone call from the club doctor at 11pm. Palmer was supposed to participate in a training session on Thursday morning, which would have made him available for selection. Maresca revealed his shock, stating he was next to his wife when the call came through, leaving them both alarmed by the news.
The Italian coach drew a stark comparison to emphasise Palmer's importance, saying: 'Cole is like Haaland for City, like Salah for Liverpool.' He expressed frustration at the unfortunate timing, noting Palmer was 'very close' to returning from his previous groin issue.
Immediate Consequences and Team Resilience
This new setback means Palmer will miss several crucial matches, including:
- Saturday's Premier League trip to Burnley
- The Champions League clash with Barcelona this Tuesday
- Next weekend's showdown against league leaders Arsenal
Maresca confirmed that Palmer is unavailable for this week and next week, though the exact duration of his absence remains unclear. The coach explained the particular challenge with a toe injury, noting that 'the contact with the boots can be painful.'
In a quirky twist, the injury has also disrupted promotional plans for the Barcelona match, with Daily Mail Sport learning that a large 'Cold Palmer' ice sculpture intended for Stamford Bridge has been shelved.
Despite this significant loss, Chelsea have shown remarkable resilience during Palmer's absence, winning eight of their 11 matches without their star playmaker. Maresca expressed pride in his squad's ability to cope without their talisman.
On a more positive note, Benoit Badiashile is available to face Burnley after being absent since early October, while Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez are both fit. Maresca did voice frustration about Chelsea's scheduling, being selected for a 12.30pm kick-off for the second successive time after an international break.
