24 November 2025
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that England international Cole Palmer will miss the upcoming Champions League match against Barcelona and the Premier League fixture against Arsenal. The England international suffered a broken toe at his home last week, further delaying his return from a thigh injury that has sidelined him since September.
Palmer's injury comes at a particularly difficult time, as Chelsea are set to face the five-time Champions League winners and then the current Premier League leaders.
Palmer last played for Chelsea more than two months ago, in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Since then, Palmer has missed 12 matches for the Blues, in addition to two international breaks. Despite this, both Chelsea and England have performed well in his absence.
Maresca said: "We don't know exactly when Palmer will be back, but it will certainly be soon. He is already training on the pitch, working with the ball, and feeling good."
The Italian coach added: "We're here for tomorrow's match (against Barcelona), then we'll think about the Arsenal game."
When asked about the possibility of including Palmer in the squad for the Arsenal match next Sunday, Maresca said: "I don't think so at the moment."
Chelsea currently sit second in the Premier League table with 23 points, six points behind leaders Arsenal.
