In a devastating blow for Chelsea fans, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that star midfielder Cole Palmer will be sidelined for the next two to three weeks due to a recurring groin injury. The news, dropped on September 26, 2025, via Romano’s trusted X account, comes straight from Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who explained the cautious approach to protect the 23-year-old England international. “We decided to protect Cole a little bit, to make sure it doesn’t get worse,” Maresca said in a press conference ahead of the Blues’ Premier League clash with Brighton. “We’ll rest him for the next 2-3 weeks until the international break so he can recover to 100%.” The announcement has left supporters reeling, with Palmer’s absence threatening to derail Chelsea’s momentum after their dramatic Club World Cup triumph and a nervy Carabao Cup win over Lincoln City.
Palmer’s injury woes surfaced during Chelsea’s chaotic 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 20, where he limped off in the 21st minute after aggravating a groin strain. The issue, initially thought to be minor, forced him to miss the subsequent Carabao Cup tie against Lincoln City, where the Blues struggled without his creative spark, managing zero first-half shots on target. Maresca’s decision to rest him was driven by fears of a longer-term setback, especially with a grueling schedule looming—Brighton, Southampton, and Tottenham in the league, plus a Champions League round-of-16 first leg. “Cole’s our heartbeat,” Maresca admitted, his Leicester lilt heavy with concern. “But pushing him now risks months out. We’re being smart.” Medical reports suggest the groin strain, while not requiring surgery, needs careful management to avoid complications like a sports hernia, with the October international break offering a natural window for recovery.
The £40 million signing from Manchester City in 2023 has been Chelsea’s talisman, racking up 26 goals and 12 assists this season, including a match-winning Panenka penalty in the Club World Cup final against PSG. His absence is a hammer blow for a squad already battered by injuries: Wesley Fofana (knee, scans pending), Levi Colwill (knee, out for season), and Marc Guiu (thigh) are sidelined, while Robert Sanchez serves a three-match ban after his Old Trafford red card. Without Palmer’s flair—his no-look passes and ice-cold finishing—Chelsea leaned on Noni Madueke and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to scrape past Lincoln, but fans fear a dip against stronger opposition. Social media erupted with despair: “No Cole for 3 weeks? We’re cooked,” one X post lamented, garnering 10,000 likes. Another fan wrote, “Maresca’s right to protect him, but who steps up now? Joao Pedro? 😬”
Teammates rallied around Palmer, with Madueke posting on Instagram: “Rest up, Cold One—we got you 💙.” Enzo Fernandez, despite his own struggles, added a praying emoji on X. Pundits weighed in: Gary Neville, fresh off questioning Maresca’s tactics, told Sky Sports, “Palmer’s the glue—Chelsea’s attack looks toothless without him.” Jamie Carragher urged patience: “Smart call by Enzo. Cole’s young; don’t rush him.” Maresca hinted at leaning on youngsters like Tyrique George or loanee Andrey Santos to fill the void, but the lack of Palmer’s x-factor—evident in his 1.2 expected goals (xG) per game average—looms large. Fans are already eyeing the international break, hoping Palmer returns for the Tottenham clash on October 19.
The timing stings, especially after Palmer’s recent legal loss in his “Cold Palmer” trademark battle against Château Palmer. Off the pitch, his brand remains red-hot, but on it, Chelsea face a test of depth. Maresca’s pragmatic approach—prioritizing long-term health over short-term gains—echoes his Leicester days, but with the FA’s £25,000 fine for the United melee and 74 agent-related charges looming, pressure is mounting. As the Blues march to Brighton, the chant is clear: “Get well soon, Cole.” Without their star, it’s sink-or-swim time for Maresca’s men.
