Chelsea Football Club has received a potentially significant hint regarding the fitness of their star playmaker, Cole Palmer, as the team prepares for a critical period of fixtures after the international break.
Cautious Recovery for Key Playmaker
Chelsea have been without the services of Cole Palmer since the defeat to Manchester United on September 20. The England international has been struggling with a persistent groin issue that initially troubled him during the Club World Cup. This setback has severely limited his involvement this season, with the attacking midfielder starting just two Premier League matches.
Manager Enzo Maresca is understandably taking a cautious approach, refusing to rush his key man back into action. However, fresh reports from The Standard indicate that the club is growing optimistic about Palmer's recovery. The current hope within Stamford Bridge is to have the midfielder fit for the blockbuster Champions League encounter against FC Barcelona on November 25, followed by the Premier League clash with leaders Arsenal on November 30.
Training Pictures Spark Speculation
Despite the positive reports, Chelsea fans were given reason for pause when the club shared a series of training pictures from sessions held during the international break. Cole Palmer was notably absent from the images featuring first-team players.
Other players, including Tosin Adarabioyo, Facundo Buonanotte, Liam Delap, and Wes Fofana, were all visible in the training snaps, highlighting Palmer's continued separate rehabilitation. For the player to have any chance of featuring later this month, he will need to integrate back into full first-team training imminently.
Maresca's Upcoming Update and Fixture Crunch
All eyes will now turn to manager Enzo Maresca's press conference scheduled for November 21, where he is expected to provide a clearer update on Palmer's specific timeframe. The Italian coach has previously expressed his desire to have Palmer back as soon as possible.
"I would like to have Cole here tomorrow. I would like to have Cole early," Maresca stated ahead of a recent Champions League match. "I said many times that we are a better team with Cole. Unfortunately for us, he's out, he's injured, but for sure we want him back very soon."
The immediate fixture following the break is a trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor. While a brief cameo appearance in that match has not been entirely ruled out, the club's priority is understood to be ensuring his readiness for the two colossal fixtures that follow against Barcelona and Arsenal, rather than pushing for a premature return against the Clarets.
