Chelsea FC have been dealt a frustrating injury blow as 23-year-old forward Cole Palmer has fractured a toe following a home accident, just as he was nearing a return from a groin problem.
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer is unavailable for the upcoming matches against Burnley FC, FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC, stating: “He is probably not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure. Unfortunately he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It’s nothing important, but for sure he’s not back next week.”
The incident happened when Palmer stubbed the small toe on his left foot against a door at home.
The manager added that the injury is a fracture and that Chelsea “don’t know” the full timeline, but he is definitely ruled out of the immediate fixtures. This comes after Palmer had been edging back from a groin injury that had kept him sidelined for much of the season.
His absence at this juncture is a significant blow to Chelsea, who had hoped to have their star attacker fit for the crucial runs of fixtures. Manager Maresca admitted the team is “better with Cole on the pitch,” but insisted the squad must find solutions in his absence.
