Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca cautious of rushing star Cole Palmer's return

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is not giving anything away on the return date of the Blues’ star attacker, Cole Palmer, who is still sidelined for a groin injury that has ruled him out for most of the season.

Palmer has only featured four times for the Premier League side this season and is still battling a groin injury, aggravated during Chelsea’s clash with Manchester United in September.

The 23-year-old was expected to join the first team in October after the international break, but his return date was further delayed.

However, Maresca is hopeful that the club talisman will return in time to face Barcelona in the Champions League and Arsenal in the Premier League later in the month.

The English international has missed the last nine matches and is expected to be out of their Champions League fixture away to Qarabag on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Italian tactician Maresca said on October 17 that his superstar would be out for around six weeks.

On whether Palmer would be fit to face Barcelona after the international break, Maresca said on Tuesday:

“We hope so, but with Cole, we try to schedule the beginning, and then we need to review that.

“We go day by day with Cole. He is not taking any sessions with the team.

“We have Benoit Badiashile that can probably be available after the international break and for us, that is huge news.

“I would love to have Cole here tomorrow and for every game. Unfortunately he’s injured but for sure, we want him back very soon.”

Off the pitch, Palmer was beaming with smiles and pride following his debut season, being named in the 2025 FIFPRO World XI, which was announced on Monday.

The team is selected based exclusively on votes from over 26,000 professional footballers from 68 countries, making it a unique “players’ choice” award.

Players choose the three best-performing footballers in each position (goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards) from a shortlist.

Palmer was named the Club World Cup’s player of the tournament in the summer as Chelsea went on to win the maiden tournament.