Chelsea: Cole Palmer injury latest as Enzo Maresca makes Carabao Cup decision

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·15. Dezember 2025

Chelsea: Cole Palmer injury latest as Enzo Maresca makes Carabao Cup decision

Blues talisman has only recently returned from injury

Enzo Maresca has ruled Cole Palmer out of Tuesday's trip to Cardiff as he set his sights on winning the Carabao Cup with Chelsea.

Palmer scored Chelsea’s opening goal against Everton on Saturday in the Premier League, before being substituted before the hour mark, but he will be rested against the League One leaders in Tuesday’s quarter-final.

It comes as Chelsea continue to carefully manage Palmer’s minutes, following the England international’s staggered return from his recurring groin injury, which was further complicated last month when he suffered a freak toe injury while at his home.

Maresca said on Monday that Palmer is “not available to play two games in three days”, with the Chelsea head coach set to ring the changes and give game time to some of his lesser-used squad players, potentially including attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte, who is on loan from Brighton.

Asked whether Palmer would feature at the Cardiff City Stadium, Maresca said: “I already said many times, Cole is one of the players that deserves to be protected.