Chelsea’s plans suffer a serious blow as star playmaker Cole Palmer fractures his toe in an “accident at home.” We detail the recovery timeline and confirm which crucial Premier League and Champions League fixtures Palmer is ruled out of, including the massive clash against Barcelona.
A devastating piece of injury news has rocked Stamford Bridge, significantly derailing Chelsea’s plans for their crucial end-of-year fixture list. Star attacking midfielder Cole Palmer has been ruled out of action after suffering an unfortunate fractured toe during an “accident at home.”
The 23-year-old playmaker, who was already nearing the end of recovery from a groin issue that has limited him to just four appearances this season, now faces a fresh setback that will keep him on the sidelines for at least the next two weeks.
Key Chelsea Fixtures Palmer Will Miss
The timing of the injury is particularly painful for Chelsea and manager Enzo Maresca, as it comes just before a string of high-stakes games across all competitions.
Maresca confirmed that Palmer will definitively miss the following three crucial matches:
- Premier League: Away trip to Burnley (Saturday)
- UEFA Champions League: Home clash against La Liga giants Barcelona (Tuesday)
- Premier League: London derby against rivals Arsenal (November 30)
Maresca Confirms ‘Accident at Home’ Cause
Speaking to the press, Enzo Maresca delivered the unfortunate update, confirming the bizarre nature of the injury that struck the talismanic number 10.
“He is probably not available for tomorrow, for sure. Barcelona for sure. Arsenal for sure,” Maresca stated. “Unfortunately, he had an accident at home two days ago. He hit his toe.”
While the manager played down the severity by stating, “it’s nothing important,” the outcome is a temporary loss of one of Chelsea’s most crucial creative outlets. Maresca added a touch of humor to the freak incident: “I wake up many times in the night to go to the toilet, I hit my head and leg and everything. It can happen.”
When Could Cole Palmer Return?
The immediate concern for the club is managing the fractured toe and ensuring Palmer does not aggravate his prior groin issue.
If his recovery proceeds according to the earliest timeline, Palmer could potentially return to the squad for the Premier League fixture against Leeds United at Elland Road on December 3. However, with the season far from over, the club is expected to take a cautious approach, prioritising his long-term fitness over rushing him back onto the pitch.
This latest development is a significant challenge for Chelsea as they aim to climb the league table and secure progression in the Champions League without their reigning Club World Cup Golden Ball winner.
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