Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca Prepares for Crucial Week Without Cole Palmer Against Barcelona

Enzo Maresca

Chelsea's Cole Palmer is nearing his return from injury, but unfortunately, he'll miss the Champions League match against Barcelona and the Premier League showdown against Arsenal. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer, who suffered a groin injury in August, had a setback when he fractured his toe in an accident at home.

“It's a big week, but at the end of this week. We have Leeds away, Bournemouth away, Atalanta away...” 

Enzo Maresca and Chelsea are gearing up for a crucial week, but they're facing a setback with Cole Palmer's injury. The forward was close to returning from a groin injury, but an unfortunate accident at home has put him on the sidelines for the Champions League clash with Barcelona and the Premier League showdown against Arsenal.

Palmer, who had been making progress with back-to-back goals against Brentford and Bayern Munich, suffered a fractured toe after stubbing it on a door. He's currently wearing a protective boot and is expected to return soon, but Maresca doesn't think he'll be available for the Barcelona and Arsenal games.

“Cole is wearing a (protective) boot,” Maresca told reporters.

“We don't know when he will be back but for sure it will be soon. He's already on the pitch, he's already touching the ball and the feeling (for him) is good.

“I don't think he will be available for these two games (Barca and Arsenal), but he is doing well.”

Chelsea is currently six points behind league leaders Arsenal, having accumulated 23 points from 12 matches. The two teams will face off in a thrilling London derby at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

🚨🔵 Enzo Maresca: “Estevão is going to be an important player for this club in the future, no doubt”.

“The most important thing is he has to enjoy football, be happy, and not think about being better than other players. He’s gonna be a top player”. pic.twitter.com/k0H4gHj1vd

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 24, 2025

Maresca's focus, however, is on the upcoming match against Barcelona, a five-time Champions League winner, rather than the Arsenal encounter. The Chelsea coach is likely aware of the challenge that lies ahead, given Barcelona's rich history and success in European competitions.

“It's a big week, but at the end of this week. We have Leeds away, Bournemouth away, Atalanta away,” the Italian said. “Every game is three points.

“Barcelona tomorrow and Arsenal on Sunday are important for different reasons, but it's important for us to go game by game.”

Barcelona Threat to Chelsea

Barcelona is set to bring significant firepower to Stamford Bridge, led by Robert Lewandowski, who has scored eight LaLiga goals this season, and Lamine Yamal, who has six assists. Lewandowski, 37, is second only to Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe in LaLiga's scoring charts, while Yamal, a teenager, is a key player for Barca.

“For sure he (Lewandowski) is a fantastic player. He has shown all his life that he does the most important thing in football, score goals. We are going to try and defend as a team, be aggressive, like we always defend," Maresca said.

“But they have so many players; Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Frenkie de Jong.”