Chelsea suffered a major setback this week with confirmation that Cole Palmer is expected to be sidelined until November.
Palmer was subbed off just 21 minutes into Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on September 20. He has since missed matches against Lincoln City, Brighton, Benfica and Liverpool.
Chelsea’s medical team have now concluded that he requires a longer recovery period to fully overcome a persistent groin issue.
Cole Palmer injury: What games will the Chelsea star miss?
Chelsea’s latest update rules Palmer out of this month’s trips to Nottingham Forest and Wolves, as well as home fixtures against Ajax and Sunderland.
He will also miss England’s upcoming games against Wales and Latvia during the current international break, having not been available for selection in Thomas Tuchel’s most recent squad.
There is even a chance he could remain a doubt for Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Tottenham on November 1.
Who will replace Cole Palmer during his injury absence?
Chelsea spent £296.5 million this summer during a record-breaking transfer window and, as a result, have a large squad packed with attacking midfield options.
Since Palmer limped off at Old Trafford, Enzo Maresca has rotated Facundo Buonanotte, Estevao Willian and Enzo Fernandez in the No 10 role.
Could Cole Palmer’s injury be good news for Chelsea?
Palmer has finished as Chelsea’s leading goalscorer in each of the past two seasons. Losing a player of his influence is clearly far from ideal.
However, there may still be a silver lining.
His absence could accelerate the development of 18-year-old wonderkid Estevao, who now has a realistic chance to gain more Premier League minutes in his preferred position behind the striker.
Estevao Willian pictured playing for Palmeiras at the 2025 Club World Cup, shortly before he moved to Chelsea this summer
Estevao rose to prominence in a central role at Palmeiras, scoring 27 goals across his last two years in Sao Paulo. But at Chelsea he has mostly been used out wide so far.
He has already created more chances than any of his teammates this season, but operating in his natural position may help him settle into the Premier League even quicker. That could be hugely beneficial for his long-term development and for Chelsea’s attack overall.
Could Cole Palmer’s injury benefit England too?
Palmer’s injury rules him out of England’s friendly clash with Wales and their World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
However, his place in Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad is not thought to be at risk, provided he returns fully fit in the spring.
In that context, the timing of his layoff may even work in England’s favour.
Palmer started six games at the recent Club World Cup and has barely had a break in almost two years. Without this enforced pause, he was on track to enter next summer’s tournament having effectively played nonstop for 22 months.
This spell on the sidelines could serve as a much-needed reset — allowing him to recover physically, recharge mentally and return in better condition ahead of what has the potential to be the biggest year of his career.
