Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has suffered a fractured toe at home, delaying his return from a two-month groin injury. The setback means he will miss Tuesday's Champions League match against Barcelona and is doubtful for Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal. Despite the blow, Chelsea remain second in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Arsenal.
Cole Palmer, Chelsea's standout player this season, encountered a bizarre setback last week when he stubbed his little toe on his left foot against a door at his home. This freak injury, which resulted in a fracture, occurred just a day before he was set to resume training after being sidelined for two months with a groin problem. The incident has postponed his integration back into first-team sessions, leaving manager Enzo Maresca pessimistic about Palmer's availability for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Arsenal on Sunday.
Teammate Marc Cucurella reacted with disbelief to the news, saying, “To be fair, I couldn’t believe it.” He added, “It’s a big upset for us, because he was near to playing with us and train with us. Now he needs to rest. But it’s part of life, a part of football. We have a personal life and have these kinds of problems. Hopefully he can recover fast.” Cucurella cheekily hinted at the cause, noting Palmer's love for the video game FC 25 (formerly FIFA): “He’s running because I think it’s a FIFA game or something like this, I think.”
Palmer's absence is particularly untimely as Chelsea prepare for a crucial week. They host Barcelona in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, a match Cucurella described as “a very special game” for him due to his youth academy roots at La Masia from 2012 to 2016. “Chelsea-Barca is always a very special game. Hopefully we can win these three points,” he said. Cucurella, who left Barcelona for Eibar on loan in 2018-19 before moves to Getafe, Brighton, and Chelsea in 2022, reflected, “Everything happens for a reason.”
On the domestic front, Chelsea's form has been strong, with a 2-0 victory at Burnley on Saturday marking their third consecutive Premier League shutout and fifth win in their last six league games. Sitting second, six points behind Arsenal—who they host this weekend—the Blues are increasingly viewed as title contenders. Midfielder Moises Caicedo emphasized caution: “It’s too early to say. For sure we want to win the Premier League but we’re all step-by-step... The Premier League is so difficult, you need to be consistent.” He added, “When you beat big teams it’s so important for us, to have confidence.”
Despite injuries like Palmer's and a deep squad built through recent investments, Chelsea under Maresca have shown tactical flexibility, resilience in defense, and growth from last season's midwinter slump. Their Club World Cup triumph in the summer has boosted confidence, though draws like the one at Qarabag and losses to Brighton and Sunderland highlight areas for improvement. Palmer's swift recovery could elevate an already formidable attack as Chelsea navigate this pivotal period.