Chelsea have been dealt a significant blow as key attacker Cole Palmer faces another spell on the sidelines after suffering a bizarre injury at his Surrey home.
Freak Accident Delays Comeback
The 23-year-old England international, who has been out since sustaining a groin injury against Manchester United in September, was nearing a return to first-team action. However, manager Enzo Maresca revealed in a Friday press conference that Palmer has now fractured his small toe after stubbing it at home, further delaying his comeback.
"Unfortunately, he had an accident at home with his toe," Maresca confirmed. "But it's nothing important. For sure he is not back next week. We don't know. It's fractured. The only thing we know is he is not available for this week and next week."
Crucial Fixtures Missed
This latest setback means Palmer will definitely miss Chelsea's next three matches, dealing a substantial blow to the team's ambitions during a pivotal period. His absence will be felt across multiple competitions.
The playmaker will miss Saturday's Premier League trip to Burnley, followed by the high-profile Champions League encounter against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday. Most concerning for Blues fans, he will also be unavailable for the London derby against Arsenal at home the following weekend.
Recovery Timeline and Special Boot
While no definitive return date has been set, Maresca suggested the away trip to Leeds United at the start of December could represent a realistic target for Palmer's return. If not ready by then, the subsequent match against Bournemouth becomes the next possibility.
In a positive development for his recovery, Chelsea have taken proactive measures by commissioning a specially-adapted football boot designed to help Palmer return to training more quickly. The club hopes this innovative solution will allow him to resume on-grass work with teammates as early as next week.
Maresca was unequivocal about Palmer's importance to the squad, dismissing any suggestion that Chelsea have looked better without him. "I think that the teammates are better players with Cole playing," he stated. "I feel much better when Cole is on the pitch, and we all want Cole on the pitch."
The Italian manager did acknowledge that the team has coped well in Palmer's extended absence, having missed 13 matches already this season and been limited to just four appearances across all competitions. Chelsea currently sit third in the Premier League table, but with only three points separating them from tenth-placed Crystal Palace, the margin for error remains slim.
