Chelsea quietly get positive Cole Palmer injury news

Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer has been out injured since late September with a groin injury that has cost him around 15 matches, and he had already missed a couple of games to start the 2025/26 season with a similar issue.

So the Blues are shutting Palmer down and playing it safe, and while they badly miss the Ballon d’Or caliber playmaker, the Blues haven’t missed too much of a beat thanks to the breakout of new superstar winger Estevao Willian.

According to a report from Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail, Palmer is making positive progress on this injury, and he is actually pretty close to being able to train with the team and play.

Chelsea are tentatively aiming for Palmer to make his return for their biggest match of the season so far, which will be a Champions League tilt against reigning semifinalists and La Liga champions Barcelona.

The game will take place on Nov. 25 in about two weeks, and while Chelsea will be careful not to rush Palmer before he is ready, the Blues would like him back for the marquee Champions League matchup and are optimistic he will be ready by then.

With Lamine Yamal potentially in question due to an injury, Chelsea would be in great shape if Palmer could play and Yamal were to be out. As their Club World Cup triumph shows, Chelsea can play up to any team in European football.