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Latest Update on Cole Palmer's Injury

Will P

AUG 26, 2025

In a concerning development for Chelsea fans, star midfielder Cole Palmer was absent from training on Tuesday, following a groin injury sustained during the warm-up ahead of the Blues' dominant 5-1 victory over West Ham United last Friday.

Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill, broadcasting from a rain-soaked Chelsea training ground, delivered the update, noting that Palmer was not with the squad and remains indoors as the club takes a cautious approach to his recovery.

🗣️'Bad news for Chelsea fans on Cole Palmer. He's not with the rest of the squad'

Gary Cotterill provides an update on Cole Palmer, with the 23-year-old not in training having missed Chelsea's 5-1 win over West Ham following a groin injury in the warm-up. pic.twitter.com/BM0OZAhAXK
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 26, 2025

Impact At Chelsea

Palmer, 23, has been a pivotal figure for Chelsea since his £42.5 million transfer from Manchester City in September 2023, where he sought greater playing opportunities after limited minutes under Pep Guardiola despite earning four England caps.

His impact was immediate and profound, netting 22 Premier League goals in the 2023-24 season, which earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year award and a place in England's Euro 2024 squad. There, he provided a crucial assist in the final, underscoring his rising status on the international stage.

Injury Update

Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Palmer has continued his fine form in the 2024-25 campaign and FIFA Club World Cup Campaign. However, the groin issue has lingered longer than initially thought. Cotterill revealed that the problem dates back to the FIFA Club World Cup in July 2025. Maresca confirmed post-West Ham that Palmer had been managing the discomfort for four or five days prior, even playing through it in the goalless draw against Crystal Palace the previous weekend. "Cole in the last four or five days was not 100%. Today he tried the warm-up, but he felt something," Maresca explained, emphasizing the decision to withdraw him as a precaution to avoid exacerbating the injury.

🗣 Maresca on Palmer's 'groin' injury: "Cole was not 100 percent in the last few days, he tried in the warm-up to play but he was not right. We will see how bad it is. He was already not 100 percent against Palace but he tried to make an effort for the club, fans and team."… pic.twitter.com/VtYbfP25wn
— FPL Updates&Tips 24/25 (@FPLUpdates_Tips) August 22, 2025

Initial assessments suggest Palmer could face a 4-6 week absence, though Chelsea awaits scan results—scheduled for Tuesday—to confirm the severity, particularly with the September international break looming. Cotterill downplayed the long-term concern, stating, "I don't think it's a big problem. That's my understanding. He has had this slight niggle since Club World Cup." Instead, Palmer is likely focusing on gym work to aid recovery, with the club prioritizing his fitness given his heavy workload—101 club appearances and 12 England caps since the start of 2023-24, with only brief summer breaks.

Solutions to Palmer Absence

Palmer's absence against West Ham provided an opportunity for 19-year-old Brazilian sensation Estevao Willian, who made his Premier League debut and delivered an assist in the resounding win. Goals from Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Trevoh Chalobah highlighted Chelsea's depth, easing concerns about over-reliance on Palmer. Maresca addressed this post-match: "The ones that say we are just a Cole team, for sure Cole is our best player, no doubt. But I think we already showed... we are a much better team with Cole."

Estevao vs West Ham 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/in5OChLh2h
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) August 25, 2025

This setback comes against the backdrop of Chelsea's historical injury woes; the 2023-24 season saw over 50 cases under previous management, prompting Maresca to stress squad rotation in a roster now exceeding 40 players. Palmer's recent appearance at Notting Hill Carnival on August 25th, disguised to evade attention serves, as a reminder of the need for downtime amid gruelling schedules, including expanded tournaments like the Club World Cup.

As Chelsea prepares for their next fixture against Fulham on Saturday, the focus will be on managing Palmer's recovery carefully. With a wealth of attacking talent now at Maresca's disposal, the Blues have shown they can thrive in his absence—but his swift return would undoubtedly elevate their title aspirations. Fans will await the scan results with bated breath, hoping the "cold Palmer" chill is short-lived.