Chelsea have been handed a huge blow after discovering the extent of Cole Palmer’s injury. After coming off in the 2-1 loss against Manchester United weeks ago, Cole Palmer missed the following matches leading up to the October international break.
Many fans had expected to see the Englishman return once club football resumed. Still, head coach Enzo Maresca, in his pre-match interview ahead of the early kick-off against Nottingham Forest, confirmed that Cole Palmer’s injury will sideline him for the next six weeks – a major blow for the club as they look to build on the momentum from their impressive wins over Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
In the Nottingham Forest pre-match press conference, Maresca said, “I was wrong, unfortunately, he needs to be out for six more weeks. So, yes, this is the update.”
“The medical are not magicians. We hope six weeks are enough. It’s a problem we need to see step by step, week after week. But for sure, he will be okay. He looks very good, relaxed. He is trying to recover. He is doing all that he needs to do.”
Cole Palmer’s injury, a persistent groin injury, will now force him to miss several key fixtures in both the Premier League and the Champions League – a significant setback for Maresca’s side as they aim to maintain their rhythm during a crucial stretch of the season.
His absence will undoubtedly leave a creative void in the Blues’ attack. Since joining the club in 2023, the 22-year-old has become a vital part of Enzo Maresca’s system – not just for his goals and assists, but also for his ability to dictate play in the final third, play multiple positions, link midfield to attack, and take control of key moments.
With the England international sidelined until late November, Maresca faces the challenge of reshaping his attacking structure while keeping Chelsea’s momentum alive.
Adjusting the Blueprint: Maresca’s Options Without Palmer
Relying on Versatility
In the last transfer window, the Blues strengthened their attack with several new signings, ensuring they have plenty of options to call upon in Palmer’s absence, even if none quite replicate his profile.
In the coming months, Maresca could turn to Joao Pedro, who has experience operating in the central creative role from his days at Brighton. At the same time, Estevao, who has been brilliant in the past couple of games for both club and country, could also play at No. 10, which has been rumoured to be his preferred position.
Another potential replacement is Facundo Buonanotte, an attacking midfielder who also joined from Brighton. However, his chances of earning a regular starting spot appear limited, as he’s primarily featured in cup games and remains behind the previously mentioned attackers in the pecking order.
Maresca could also look to Enzo Fernandez to take on more creative responsibilities from midfield. His creativity, passing range, pressing and ability to arrive late in the box make him useful in an advanced role behind the striker.
A Tactical Shift Could Be on the Cards
Cole Palmer’s absence may push Maresca to tweak his system slightly. The head coach has shown tactical flexibility since arriving at Stamford Bridge, and a move from his preferred 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-2-1 or 4-3-3 could help Chelsea maintain balance.
In the last Premier League game against Liverpool, Maresca set up his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Enzo Fernández in an advanced role just behind Joao Pedro, while Malo Gusto operated as an inverted full-back, sliding into midfield to provide numerical advantage in the centre of the pitch, giving the team fluidity and width while maintaining defensive stability.
This tactical setup enabled Chelsea to dominate possession, progress play through the centre, and generate overloads in attacking spaces – a structure Maresca may look to maintain as the team adapts to Cole Palmer’s injury.
On the right wing, Maresca could deploy either Alejandro Garnacho or Jamie Gittens, and on the left Estevao and Pedro Neto. By rotating these dynamic wingers and blending their different strengths, Maresca could preserve balance in attack and keep Chelsea unpredictable going forward.
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Emphasising Collective Creativity
Without Palmer, Chelsea still possess plenty of attacking quality, but Cole Palmer’s injury means his creativity and composure will be missed. Every player in the squad will now need to step up and contribute, especially in front of goal, as the Blues prepare for crucial upcoming fixtures against Arsenal in the Premier League and Barcelona in the Champions League.
Maresca could encourage his midfielders to push higher up the pitch and involve full-backs more in attack to create overloads in wide areas.
Chelsea Injuries: Crucial Weeks Ahead Without Palmer and Co.
The next six weeks will test Chelsea’s mental resilience as much as their tactical adaptability without Palmer and other injured Blues.
It will also reveal whether they are overly dependent on Palmer to get results. With crucial fixtures in both the Premier League and the Champions League ahead, Maresca’s focus will be on ensuring the team continues to build confidence despite missing one of their key players.
If Chelsea can stay consistent and keep collecting results without their star man, Cole Palmer’s injury might turn into an opportunity for others to shine, and his eventual return could come at the perfect time – just as the season enters its decisive stages.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 20.09.2025