Cole Palmer's fresh injury set-back has been revealed by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and it could be bad news going into the World Cup.
Palmer fired Chelsea to the Conference League and Club World Cup last season with 18 goals in all competitions, following on from his incredible 25-goal debut season which saw him win the PFA Fans' Player of the Season.
But England's 2023/24 Player of the Year has been struggling with a groin problem this season, limiting him to just three Premier League appearances and one in the Champions League.
And though there was optimism that he was nearing a return, Maresca has confirmed that Palmer will remain absent for around six weeks - missing a busy period for club and country.
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"I was wrong [on Cole being back in November]," Maresca confirmed in a press conference.
"Unfortunately, he needs six more weeks. Yes, absolutely [no surgery]. We just try to protect Cole as much as we can.
"The medical team are not magicians. We hope six weeks are enough.
“But for sure, he will be okay. He looks very good, relaxed. He is trying to recover. He is doing all that he needs to do.”
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The news is also a huge blow when it comes to the England national team, with Palmer having only played once under Thomas Tuchel.
He missed out on the last camp and looks set to be sidelined for the November international break, where already qualified England play Serbia and Albania.
A six-week lay-off would likely see him be back for the visit of Arsenal at the end of November, though there is even a danger that he may not play again in 2025 given the extent of the issue.
Every Chelsea game Cole Palmer is set to miss in 2025
Saturday 18 October - Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea - Premier League
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Wednesday 22 October — Chelsea vs Ajax — UEFA Champions League
Saturday 25 October — Chelsea vs Sunderland — Premier League
Wednesday 29 October — Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea — Carabao Cup (Round of 16)
Saturday 1 November — Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea — Premier League
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Wednesday 5 November — Qarabağ vs Chelsea — UEFA Champions League
Saturday 8 November — Chelsea vs Wolverhampton Wanderers — Premier League
Saturday 22 November — Burnley vs Chelsea — Premier League
Tuesday 25 November — Chelsea vs Barcelona — UEFA Champions League
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Sunday 30 November — Chelsea vs Arsenal — Premier League
Wednesday 3 December — Leeds United vs Chelsea — Premier League
Saturday 6 December — Bournemouth vs Chelsea — Premier League
Tuesday 9 December — Atalanta vs Chelsea — UEFA Champions League
Saturday 13 December — Chelsea vs Everton — Premier League
Saturday 20 December — Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Premier League
Saturday 27 December — Chelsea vs Aston Villa — Premier League
Tuesday 30 December — Chelsea vs Bournemouth — Premier League
He could find himself lost in the shuffle because of the stiff competition for places, with Tuchel admitting that his recurring problem is a concern.
"First of all, the most important thing is that he can play without pain because the groin issue is a very dangerous one to become chronic," Tuchel said in a press conference.
"This is the most important thing.
"When he’s fit and when he has rhythm and flow, he can decide matches on club level and, for sure, at international level. We know that.
"There is also with him no problem at all [for me]. We clearly understand and see the potential and the quality, but there is also a reality that he was not available in five of the [last] seven camps, so right now there are two camps left before the World Cup."
Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest in an early kick-off on Saturday, looking to build on their win over Premier League champions Liverpool last time out.
Maresca will not be in the dug-out, having been hit with a one-game touchline ban for leaving the technical area to celebrate Estevao Willian's winning goal against Liverpool.
Topics: Cole Palmer, Chelsea, England
Josh Lawless