Chelsea’s chances against Brighton have taken a hit. Manager Enzo Maresca has said Cole Palmer will rest for the next two to three weeks. That means he will miss the upcoming games. This includes the match at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer : Groin Problem Rresurfaces
Palmer had earlier dealt with a recurring groin injury. He aggravated it again in the Manchester United clash, forcing him off the field early. Maresca confirmed that surgery is not expected at this time. Instead, the club will manage his recovery conservatively, letting him heal with rest and treatment.
Fixture Gaps Likely to see Palmer Out
This break was completely forceful and completely avoidable. Now, because of that Palmer is set to miss matches against Brighton and Liverpool in the Premier League. He will probably miss the Champions League fixture with Benfica. The timing means Chelsea will have to cope without one of their key attackers. This is going to be difficult especially during a critical stretch.
Squad Under Strain with Multiple Absences
Palmer is not the only one on the sidelines. Tosin Adarabioyo is dealing with a calf issue. Meanwhile Wesley Fofana has reportedly suffered a concussion in the League Cup. Add to that other long-term absentees like Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, and Dario Essugo. Chelsea will now face a stretched roster amid a crowded schedule.
Author’s Insight
Losing Palmer at this moment is a blow. He brings creativity and attacking threat that are hard to replace. But Chelsea face this often enough now — they’ll need others to step up.
This is going to test Maresca’s depth, tactics, and his ability to rotate. If the rest heal well and the squad holds shape, Chelsea can weather this. But this stretch will be a litmus test of their resilience without one of their key men.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
