Chelsea have been dealt another significant injury setback after Cole Palmer sustained a fractured toe in what the club described as an “accident at home,” further derailing the midfielder’s difficult start to the season.
The 23-year-old England international, who has managed just four appearances this campaign due to fitness struggles, has now been ruled out of the Blues’ next three games across all competitions.
Palmer has not featured for Chelsea since being forced off during the dramatic 2–1 defeat to Manchester United on September 20, after which he began nursing a groin injury that has kept him sidelined for both club and country. Just as he approached full recovery, an unexpected domestic mishap has placed him back on the treatment table.
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer will be unavailable for Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Burnley on Saturday, the Champions League showdown with Barcelona on Tuesday, and the highly anticipated London derby against Arsenal on November 30.
Providing an update on the unfortunate incident, Maresca said:
“He is probably not available for tomorrow, for sure. Barcelona for sure. Arsenal for sure. Unfortunately, he had an accident at home two days ago. He hit his toe. It’s nothing important, but he’s not back in the next week. The only thing we know is he’s not available for this week and next week.”
Maresca added that Palmer had been on the verge of returning from his groin injury:
“He was very close, with the groin. He was back with us almost. Then he had this small problem. The last time I saw him was yesterday. Was he limping? No, not too much. We don’t know it’s fractured. The only thing we know is he is not available for this week and next week.”
Reflecting on the bizarre nature of the setback, the Chelsea boss noted that such incidents are simply part of life:
“I wake up many times in the night to go to the toilet, I hit my head and leg and everything. It can happen.”
The injury comes as a huge frustration for both Palmer and Chelsea, who have been eagerly awaiting the return of one of their most influential creative forces as they navigate a demanding run of fixtures.
