Cole Palmer injury update dampens 100-game milestone
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
October 2025
Palmer marked 100 Chelsea appearances with an Instagram post but remains sidelined by a groin issue. Despite being pictured in training kit at Cobham, he only completed indoor rehab. Enzo Maresca now projects roughly six more weeks out, pushing any return toward late November pending medical progression. Chelsea will keep Palmer on a controlled indoor-to-grass ramp, using staged load, adductor strength benchmarks, and pain-free change-of-direction before ball work. Clearance requires repeat testing across sprinting and striking mechanics to avoid recurrence. Squad creativity will lean on Estevão and George while Maresca protects minutes for recent returnees.