Chelsea are continuing to take a careful approach with Cole Palmer’s recovery from a persistent groin injury, with new updates emerging after the midfielder missed two weeks of football and England’s recent international fixtures.
The 23-year-old was recently spotted in Dubai, taking photos with fans while he continues his rehabilitation. His trip to the Middle East has sparked speculation among supporters, with some suggesting he may have travelled to consult a specialist, while others believe he was granted a short break following several weeks of limited training at Cobham.
Palmer’s Ongoing Struggles with Fitness
Palmer’s groin issue has troubled him since the early stages of the 2025/26 season, restricting him to just 140 minutes of action since September. He was initially withdrawn from Chelsea’s starting XI against West Ham United in August after feeling discomfort during the warm-up, which kept him out for two weeks.
He made a goalscoring return from the bench against Brentford last month, but his comeback proved short-lived. Only a week later, the England international was forced off early in the defeat to Manchester United, and he has not featured since.
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed before Chelsea’s recent victory over Liverpool that Palmer remains sidelined, admitting the club will reassess his progress later this month.
“Cole is still out,” Maresca said last Friday. “I don’t have any updates at the moment. We have a meeting this week to see how he is, and we will then decide [whether he can return after the international break].”
Return Expected Next Month
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea expect Palmer to be sidelined for weeks rather than months, with a potential return in November now seen as the most realistic scenario. The Blues are determined not to rush his comeback, particularly given the risk of aggravating what England manager Thomas Tuchel recently described as a “chronic” issue.
Tuchel’s comments have added to concerns about Palmer’s long-term fitness, with the player yet to be named in a Three Lions squad this season — and now unlikely to feature for the remainder of 2025. Chelsea are prioritising his full recovery, ensuring that when he returns, it will be without the lingering discomfort that has plagued him in recent months.
Still Part of the Team Spirit
Despite his absence on the pitch, Palmer remains a visible and vocal presence around the Chelsea camp. The playmaker joined in the celebrations following Estevão Willian’s last-gasp winner against Liverpool, even if the moment ended in slight discomfort when Jorrel Hato enthusiastically jumped into him during the jubilant scenes.
Chelsea fans will be eager to see their talismanic attacker back in full flow, but both Maresca and the club’s medical team are determined to take no risks. With a packed winter schedule approaching, ensuring Palmer’s long-term fitness could prove crucial to the Blues’ ambitions this season.
