Chelsea’s Cole Palmer Ruled Out With Groin Injury

Chelsea have been dealt a setback with Cole Palmer set to miss up to three weeks as he continues treatment for a nagging groin problem.

Cole Palmer, 22, was forced off in the first half of last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United when the injury resurfaced. It is the same issue that troubled him during Chelsea’s shortened pre-season in July, shortly after the club lifted the FIFA Club World Cup.

Head coach Enzo Maresca explained that the club is taking a cautious approach to protect one of their key players.

“Yes, we decided to protect a little bit Cole, in terms of not letting his injury get worse,” Maresca said. “We decided to rest him for two to three weeks until the international break to see if, with that rest, he can recover 100% and be fit after the international break. I don’t think he needs surgery but it is just to manage the pain in his groin. We have decided to be a little bit conservative with him.”

The enforced break means Palmer will miss league games against Brighton and Liverpool, as well as Chelsea’s Champions League tie against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.

Palmer has started only three of Chelsea’s seven matches this season and also sat out England’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. Gareth Southgate’s side face Wales in a friendly on 9 October before a qualifier in Latvia five days later.

Chelsea’s injury list extends beyond Palmer. Defender Tosin Adarabioyo is sidelined with a calf issue until after the international break, while Wesley Fofana will not feature against Brighton due to a concussion.

Source: Naijanews