Home SPORTS Chelsea's Injury Woes Continue: Cole Palmer and Benoit Badiashile Sidelined

Chelsea's Injury Woes Continue: Cole Palmer and Benoit Badiashile Sidelined

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Enzo Maresca's Blues hit with injury blow as Palmer and Badiashile Out




Enzo Maresca's Chelsea team faces a major blow as Cole Palmer and Benoit Badiashile are ruled out for an extended period.


The six-week absence means Palmer will likely miss at least 10 matches across all competitions...


Chelsea's Cole Palmer will be sidelined for six more weeks due to a groin injury, confirmed manager Enzo Maresca ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest. Palmer initially picked up the injury in August but made a brief return to action, scoring in consecutive matches against Brentford and Bayern Munich.


However, he aggravated the issue during Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on September 20 and has been out of action since. Maresca admitted that his initial expectation of Palmer returning after the October international break was overly optimistic.


The six-week absence means Palmer will likely miss at least 10 matches across all competitions, including crucial games against Ajax, Barcelona and Arsenal. Maresca emphasized the importance of Palmer's full recovery, stating, “We try to protect Cole as much as we can, and the most important thing is that when he comes back, he's fully fit.”


Maresca acknowledged the difficulty in replacing Palmer, describing him as “one of the best players in the league” and “unique.” Chelsea's schedule is set to get even tougher, with key matches against Sunderland, Tottenham and Wolves before the next international break.


Palmer's absence will further deplete Chelsea's squad, with the Blues already facing a tough schedule.


The England international had scored two goals in four matches across all competitions this season before suffering the injury against Manchester United. His absence will be felt against Nottingham Forest, Ajax in the Champions League, and Sunderland in the Premier League.


Chelsea currently sit seventh in the Premier League table with 11 points from seven matches, trailing leaders Arsenal by five points. Enzo Maresca's side will hope to overcome Palmer's absence and secure positive results in the upcoming matches.


Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admitted he was wrong about Palmer's expected return, stating, “I was wrong. Unfortunately, he needs to be out for six more weeks.” Maresca emphasized the importance of ensuring Palmer's full recovery, saying, “We try to protect Cole as much as we can. The most important thing is when he comes back, he is fully fit.”


“We try to protect Cole as much as we can. The most important thing is when he comes back, he is fully fit.


“The medical staff are not magicians. We hope six weeks are enough. We need to see it step-by-step. For sure, he's going to be okay.


“He looks relaxed. He has tried to recover from the injury and is doing all the therapy.”


Cole Palmer's groin injury absence will force him to miss several crucial matches, including Chelsea's upcoming fixture against Nottingham Forest, a Champions League tie against Ajax, and the Premier League match versus Sunderland.


The Blues will have to navigate these key games without Palmer, who has scored two goals in four matches this season. Chelsea currently sit seventh in the Premier League table with 11 points from seven matches, five points behind league leaders Arsenal.


Replacing Palmer Won't Be Easy

“First of all, to replace Cole, it's difficult. Cole is a very important player for us, one of the best in the league ...” Maresca said.


“It depends on the game plan we have. We don't have another player like Cole. Cole is unique.”


Chelsea's defensive woes continue to mount, with Benoit Badiashile set to miss the remainder of the year due to a muscle problem. The French centre-back's absence will be deeply felt, given his impressive form in the lead-up to his injury.


Badiashile's December return marks a significant blow to Enzo Maresca's defensive options. With Levi Colwill already sidelined for an extended period with a serious knee injury, Chelsea will have to rely on other players to fill the gap.


Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, and Trevoh Chalobah are among the options available to Maresca, but each has their own injury concerns. Fofana, in particular, is facing a potentially long-term absence with a hamstring injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season.




The injury crisis has forced Maresca to consider alternative options, including young defender Jorrel Hato, who has been gaining experience in training. Hato's versatility and ability to play in various defensive positions could prove invaluable to Chelsea during this challenging period.


“We are going to wait for him (Badiashile),” Maresca added.


"Moi (Moises Caicedo), Enzo (Fernandez) and Pedro (Neto) did not take part in the session yesterday. We will see if they can train today. Reece (James) is okay, he is fully fit.”


Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will serve a one-match touchline ban, watching from the stands as his team faces Nottingham Forest. The ban and £8,000 fine stem from Maresca's exuberant celebration after Estevao Willian's 95th-minute winner against Liverpool.




Maresca's wild celebration earned him a second yellow card and dismissal from referee Anthony Taylor. The Italian manager admitted to misconduct and accepted the standard penalty, which includes the one-match ban and fine.


Assistant coach Willy Caballero is expected to take charge of the team in Maresca's absence. Maresca will miss Chelsea's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest but will be allowed to communicate with his coaching staff via phone or electronic device.


“It was a big moment for many reasons,” Maresca said. “Since I joined the club, we never won a game at home in the last minute. It was against the champions of England.


“It was an important moment, for sure. For me, personally, it was a normal reaction in the moment.”




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