Cole Palmer Is Placed On Rest! Enzo Maresca Tells Chelsea Talisman To Sit Out Games Until After International Break Due To Injury Concerns

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that attacking star Cole Palmer will be rested until after the international break, as the club carefully manages the England playmaker’s ongoing groin injury.

Palmer’s Injury Blow

The setback came during Chelsea’s dramatic 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, where Palmer was substituted after just 20 minutes. With goalkeeper Robert Sanchez already sent off early in the match, Palmer’s early exit was another blow for the Blues. The England international has struggled with a persistent groin issue, which also caused him to miss clashes against West Ham and Fulham earlier in the season.

While surgery has been discussed, Maresca seems keen to avoid that route for now, focusing instead on rest and rehabilitation.

Maresca Taking No Chances

Speaking about his decision, the Chelsea boss said:

“We decided to protect Cole a little bit [to] not let his injury get worse. We decided to rest him for two-three weeks until the international break to see if he can recover 100%. I don’t think he needs surgery. It’s just a matter of managing the pain in his groin.”

Palmer will now miss Chelsea fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion, Benfica, and Liverpool, with his availability for England’s upcoming friendlies and World Cup qualifiers currently uncertain.

Latest Setback For Chelsea’s Midfield Star

Cole Palmer has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dynamic attacking midfielders, but this season has seen his form dip. After a brilliant first half of the 2024/25 campaign—scoring 12 league goals and providing six assists—Palmer has managed only four goals and three assists since the start of 2025.

During his Chelsea career, Palmer has already missed seven games, a number now set to rise to at least ten. Maresca will hope that this carefully managed rest period allows him to return fully fit and firing, ready to contribute both at Stamford Bridge and on the international stage.