Chelsea hit by injury crisis as Cole Palmer ruled out for up to three weeks

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday that Cole Palmer will miss up to three weeks with a groin injury, ruling him out of a home game against Brighton this weekend and a trip to Liverpool next week.

The setback deepens a growing injury crisis at Stamford Bridge, with defender Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana also sidelined in the latest update from the Chelsea boss. Maresca indicated that only one senior centre back is currently fit, leaving the Blues short in central defence and potentially forcing tactical adjustments.

Beyond the central defense, Maresca said as many as ten players look unable to start in the near term, underscoring the breadth of the issue across the squad. The tally includes several senior and fringe players who would ordinarily expect to feature in a busy autumn schedule.

With Palmer sidelined, Chelsea will again turn to alternative attacking options as they prepare for back-to-back fixtures against Brighton and Liverpool in short order. The club has not issued a full update on timelines for Adarabioyo or Fofana beyond their respective injuries, leaving supporters to monitor daily briefing notes for additional clarity on squad availability.

The latest setback arrives amid a season that has tested Chelsea's depth and consistency, heightening scrutiny of Maresca's rotation policy and the club's ability to navigate a congested fixture list. As the team seeks stability, the injury list serves as a reminder of how quickly a squad can be stretched when multiple defenders and senior players are unavailable, potentially reshaping selection and tactical plans in the short term.