Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer will be sidelined for six weeks, doubling the initial recovery timeline previously reported.
Speaking to club media ahead of the meeting with Nottingham Forest, Maresca admitted the injury was “a little worse than we expected,” after medical tests revealed Palmer needs a longer rest period to fully recover from his groin problem.
“I was wrong.” Maresca said. “Unfortunately, he needs six more weeks. Yes, absolutely [no surgery]. We just try to protect Cole as much as we can.”
The 22-year-old midfielder has been a key figure for Chelsea this season, contributing goals and assists under Maresca’s system.
Palmer’s absence means he will likely miss several key fixtures, including matches against Liverpool, Benfica, and Brighton.
Maresca expressed confidence that the team can cope, but admitted: “The medical team are not magicians. We hope six weeks are enough.”