London, October 2, 2025 – Chelsea’s rocky start under Enzo Maresca has taken another hit after confirmation that star playmaker Cole Palmer underwent minor groin surgery on Wednesday, ruling him out for at least six weeks. The 23-year-old England international, described as the team’s “creative heartbeat” following his dazzling display against Benfica, had already missed the win over Tottenham and the Carabao Cup clash with Wycombe due to the issue. With his return now pushed back to mid-November, Palmer could miss up to 10 matches – a major setback to Chelsea’s hopes of mounting a top-four challenge.
Palmer first signaled trouble when he limped off in the 1-0 Champions League win against Benfica on September 30. Scans revealed a partial groin tear, worsened by his heavy workload this season – 12 starts in 14 games, including standout performances such as a hat-trick against Brighton. “Cole’s irreplaceable – his vision, his calm under pressure,” Maresca admitted in a downbeat press conference. Club doctors, led by Paco Biosca, opted for surgery after rehab attempts failed, calling his “explosive style” a long-term risk factor. A club statement confirmed Palmer’s operation was a success, stressing caution with his recovery.
The loss adds to Chelsea’s mounting injury crisis. Captain Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), and Benoît Badiashile (Achilles) are already sidelined, while Moisés Caicedo and Pedro Neto are also nursing knocks. Palmer’s absence is especially damaging in attack: his seven goals and nine assists have carried the frontline, where Nicolas Jackson’s four goals have offered limited support. Without him, Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1 risks becoming predictable, relying on untested youngsters like Tyrique George or squad players such as Cesare Casadei.
Fan unrest has grown, with “#PalmerOut” trending on X as supporters vent frustration at the club’s injury woes and expensive recruitment strategy. Pundits have echoed the concerns: “Chelsea look fragile. Losing Palmer now? That’s a gift for Arsenal,” said Rio Ferdinand. Still, recent wins over Benfica and Luton showed glimpses of resilience, with Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho stepping up. Maresca insisted the team can adapt, highlighting Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as a key stand-in.
Palmer, meanwhile, struck an optimistic tone on Instagram, vowing to come back stronger. His long-term contract until 2030 underlines his importance, though rumors of a January reshuffle persist with clubs like PSG and Bayern monitoring. For Maresca, whose early momentum has already faltered after defeat to Arsenal, Saturday’s trip to Anfield feels decisive. Without Palmer, Chelsea’s depth faces its sternest test yet – and failure could turn a billion-pound rebuild into another season of regret.
