Chelsea have suffered a significant blow ahead of their pivotal Champions League clash with FC Barcelona, as manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Cole Palmer will not feature due to a freak injury sustained at home.
The 23‑year-old attacker, who had only recently returned to light training following a groin problem, fractured his little toe after stubbing it on a door, ruling him out of both the Barcelona match and the upcoming Premier League game against Arsenal.
Speaking to the media, Maresca expressed regret over the timing of the injury but struck a cautiously optimistic tone over Palmer’s recovery. “Cole is wearing a [protective] boot,” the Chelsea coach said. “We don’t know when he will be back, but for sure it will be soon. He’s already on the pitch, he’s already touching the ball and the feeling for him is good. I don’t think he will be available for these two games … but he is doing well.”
The injury represents a cruel twist for Palmer, who had just been edging toward full fitness. He had spent the last two months sidelined with a groin issue that disrupted much of his season.
His return to the training ground was seen as a major boost for Chelsea, especially given his creative influence in the final third.
Yet the door incident sharply undercut that momentum. Maresca clarified that while the injury may sound minor, the reality is more complex. “Unfortunately, he had an accident at home … he hit his toe,” Maresca explained. “It’s nothing serious, but for sure he’s not back next week. It’s fractured.”
The Chelsea coach noted that while Palmer is mobile, wearing football boots remains uncomfortable: “The problem is the small toe. The contact with the boot can be a bit painful.”
Despite the setback, Maresca maintained a measured outlook for the Blues. He insisted that the squad must take their upcoming matches on a game-by-game basis, acknowledging the difficulty of facing elite opposition but refraining from letting Palmer’s absence overshadow the fixtures entirely.
“It’s a big week … every game is three points,” he said. “Barcelona … and Arsenal … are important for different reasons, but it’s important for us to go game by game.”
Indeed, Chelsea’s schedule does not get any easier. Beyond Barcelona, they are poised to face Arsenal in the Premier League, a game that carries huge weight in the title race. Maresca emphasized that while losing Palmer hurts, it also offers an opportunity for other players to step up in decisive moments.
For Barcelona, Palmer’s absence is unquestionably welcome news. The Englishman’s ability to link midfield and attack, to create chances in tight spaces, would have posed a tricky tactical puzzle for Hansi Flick’s defense.
Without him, Chelsea are likely to lean more heavily on wide play and set-pieces, losing some of their most incisive pattern play through the center.
The Spaniards, meanwhile, will look to exploit the weakened defensive balance of their hosts. Robert Lewandowski remains a constant threat, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has lit up La Liga with his vision and energy.
Maresca warned that Barça’s attacking depth is formidable, citing not just Lewandowski but also the creativity of Yamal, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermin López.
Despite the disappointment surrounding Palmer, Maresca attempted to reassure Chelsea supporters that the forward’s long-term prognosis remains positive. He noted that Palmer is responding well to rehabilitation and insisted that the injury, while frustrating, is not expected to prompt a prolonged absence beyond the short-term fixtures.
From a squad management perspective, Chelsea now face a delicate balancing act. They must navigate a demanding week without one of their most creative players, rotate wisely, and maintain focus in a high-stakes Champions League encounter.
At the same time, Maresca will hope that the protected recovery of Palmer allows him to return fully ready rather than risk a relapse.