According to a BBC report, Chelsea expect Cole Palmer to be sidelined until November with a lingering groin problem, after internal discussions on the best way to manage his recovery.
The 23-year-old’s troubles trace back to a truncated, two-week pre-season that came immediately after his starring role in Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph in July. Since then, the discomfort has flared repeatedly, restricting him to just four appearances in all competitions so far.
The issue reared its head again at Old Trafford on 20 September, when Palmer was withdrawn after 21 minutes of the 2–1 defeat to Manchester United.
Enzo Maresca and the medical staff have opted for caution. Rather than push Palmer through the pain barrier, the plan is to prioritise a reset: rest, targeted rehab, and a progressive return once he’s symptom-free.
Maresca has framed the decision as protecting one of the team’s key attackers now to avoid a stop-start campaign later.
The conservative timeline means Palmer is expected to sit out upcoming fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Ajax, Sunderland, and Wolves. Chelsea views that cluster of matches as an opportunity to give the injury the time it needs, rather than risking setbacks that could stretch into winter.
His national-team prospects have also paused for the moment. Palmer was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad for the friendly with Wales and the World Cup qualifier away to Latvia.
When explaining the call, Tuchel acknowledged concern over the nature of the problem and cautioned that, if mismanaged, it could become a longer-term issue—precisely what club and country are eager to avoid.
For Chelsea, the message is clear: Palmer’s importance is undisputed, but so is the need to get him right. With a full calendar ahead and the margins at the top of the table razor-thin, a fully fit Palmer—rather than a half-fit stopgap—could make a significant difference down the stretch.
The hope at Cobham is that a patient approach now delivers a decisive payoff when he returns, refreshed and ready to contribute through the heart of the season.