Chelsea forward Cole Palmer will miss at least the next week after fracturing his left little toe in a domestic accident on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old England international had been preparing to return from a two-month groin injury but will now sit out Chelsea’s upcoming matches against Burnley, Barcelona, and Arsenal.
“He is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said. “Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It is nothing important, but he won’t be back in the next week.”
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Palmer last played on 20 September in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United. Despite his absence, the Blues have won eight of their 11 matches since then and currently sit third in the Premier League.
Maresca highlighted Palmer’s importance to the squad: “I think that his team-mates are better players with Cole playing. I feel much better when Cole is on the pitch, and we all want Cole on the pitch. At the same time, when Cole is not on the pitch, we need to find a solution. The team is doing very well but we are better with Cole.”
Chelsea will still have Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, and Benoit Badiashile available for the trip to Turf Moor, with Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi remaining part of the squad.
Palmer has been a standout attacker under Maresca, earning Player of the Tournament honors in Chelsea’s Club World Cup victory and man-of-the-match recognition in last season’s Conference League final win over Real Betis. The toe injury is not considered serious, and he is expected to recover soon.