Chelsea battling injuries to Cole Palmer and others ahead of crucial week

By SABC Sport
24th November 2025

Chelsea face a testing period on and off the pitch as injuries continue to affect their squad, even as the team rides a wave of confidence following a 2-0 victory away at Burnley.

That win has lifted them to second place in the Premier League under manager Enzo Maresca.

The Blues now have a crucial week ahead, starting with a Champions League clash against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, followed by a Premier League showdown with Arsenal at home on Sunday. December fixtures continue with trips to Leeds on the 3rd and Bournemouth on the 6th.

Cole Palmer is among the sidelined players. The 23-year-old winger, who spent two months out with a groin injury, recently fractured a little toe on his left foot in a minor home accident, ruling him out of the Barcelona and Arsenal games.

Chelsea are optimistic that the injury is minor and hope he can resume training this week, with a possible return in early December.

Captain Reece James was substituted at half-time against Burnley, prompting some concern, but Maresca reassured fans that the 45-minute appearance was pre-planned to protect the player's fitness and that there are no injury worries.

Midfielder Romeo Lavia remains sidelined after suffering a quad injury just four minutes into Chelsea's 2-2 Champions League draw at Qarabag on 5 December, ruling him out for at least a month. Lavia has a history of hamstring and thigh issues that have limited his playing time.

Meanwhile, young Dario Essugo is also out after undergoing surgery for a thigh injury sustained while playing for Portugal Under-21s in September, with a return expected in January.