Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca announced on Friday that midfielder Cole Palmer will be sidelined for an additional six weeks. Palmer has been absent from the squad since sustaining an injury during Chelsea’s match against Manchester United on September 20, where he was substituted in the first half.
Initially hoping for Palmer’s return after the international break this month, Maresca expressed regret in underestimating the recovery timeline, now confirming the extended absence. The manager reassured that Palmer’s condition does not necessitate surgery and emphasized the importance of ensuring his complete recuperation before his return.
Maresca acknowledged the challenge of replacing Palmer, whom he described as one of the top players in the Premier League, highlighting the uniqueness of Palmer’s skill set within the team. With Chelsea set to face Nottingham Forest in their upcoming fixture, Maresca emphasized the need to explore alternative strategies and skills in Palmer’s absence.