Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has been ruled out until after next month’s international break as he continues to recover from a groin injury.
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the development on Friday, during his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Brighton.
Advertisement
Palmer, 23, was forced off midway through the first half of Chelsea’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Manchester United last week.
He had also missed earlier fixtures against West Ham and Fulham with the same issue.
Maresca explained that the club had chosen a cautious approach to aid the midfielder’s full recovery.
“We decided to rest him for the next two or three weeks, probably until the international break, just to see if, with that rest, he can be able to recover 100 percent and be completely fit after the break,” he told reporters.
The Italian coach, however, ruled out the possibility of surgery. “It’s just a matter of managing his pain in his groin.
“With the amount of games, it’s something that can happen. This is why we’re trying to be conservative with him,” Maresca added.
Chelsea face a busy schedule before the break, with fixtures against Brighton, Benfica, and Liverpool.
But Maresca insisted the club’s priority is Palmer’s long-term fitness.
“Hopefully, he can be 100 percent fit after the international break,” he stressed.
The Blues also face defensive setbacks as Tosin Adarabioyo remains sidelined with a calf injury, while Wesley Fofana is recovering from a concussion sustained in the League Cup win against Lincoln.
Despite recent struggles, Maresca expressed confidence in his squad depth, saying: “We are happy with the players we have. Robert, Filip, and the others remain important for us going forward.”
