Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has received a significant boost with key playmaker Cole Palmer making a surprise return to training, despite suffering a bizarre toe injury that threatened to further delay his comeback.
Training Return After Double Injury Blow
Chelsea supporters received encouraging news this week as the 23-year-old England international was spotted back on the training pitch, marking a positive step in his recovery from a persistent groin problem that has limited him to just four appearances this season.
The attacking midfielder hasn't featured since limping out of Chelsea's defeat to Manchester United on September 20, with the club opting to give him an extended period of recovery. Just as Palmer was closing in on his return to first-team action, he suffered an unfortunate setback when he stubbed his toe on a door at home, resulting in a fracture.
Despite this additional complication, the former Manchester City player has been able to resume training while wearing a protective boot, providing hope that his return to competitive action might be closer than initially feared.
Maresca's Cautious Optimism
Chelsea's head coach addressed Palmer's situation during a press conference ahead of their crucial Champions League encounter with Barcelona. "Yes, Cole is wearing a boot," Maresca confirmed. "We don't know when he will be back but for sure it will be soon."
The Italian manager revealed that Palmer has already begun ball work, stating: "He's already on the pitch, he's already touching the ball and the feeling is good."
However, Maresca tempered expectations regarding immediate availability, emphasising that Tuesday's European clash against Barcelona and Sunday's Premier League meeting with Arsenal will likely come too soon for the recovering star.
Explaining the unusual nature of Palmer's recent injury, Maresca showed understanding: "Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It is nothing important, but he won't be back in the next week. I wake up many times during the night - I hit my head, my legs, my everything - so it can happen."
Teammate Reaction and Potential Return Timeline
Palmer's Chelsea colleague Marc Cucurella offered a less sympathetic perspective, expressing scepticism about the injury's severity while adding some light-hearted banter. "To be fair, I don't believe it," said the Spanish defender. "I have had this a couple of times but I'm stronger than them, so I don't feel anything."
Cucurella speculated about the cause of the incident, joking: "He's running because I think he lost a FIFA game or something like this, I think!"
Despite the teasing, the defender acknowledged Palmer's importance to the squad: "It's a big upset for us because he's getting closer to playing with us, to train with us, and then now he needs to rest. But this is part of life, a part of footballers' lives."
If Palmer misses the upcoming matches against Barcelona and Arsenal, Chelsea supporters can realistically hope to see their creative talisman return for the trip to Leeds United on December 3, followed by the visit to Bournemouth three days later.
The 23-year-old has established himself as a crucial figure for Chelsea since his arrival, with an impressive record of 38 goals and 20 assists in 92 Premier League appearances, making his return to full fitness a priority for Maresca's side as they navigate a demanding schedule across multiple competitions.
