Chelsea injury update: Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Blues are dealing with significant injury problems coming out of the final international break of the year

Chelsea have received some good news on the injury front as they prepare for a return to Premier League action.

The Blues went into the final international break of the year sweating on the fitness of two more senior players, but Joao Pedro shook off a knock to feature in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal on Saturday.

Joao Pedro is now expected to take part in Tuesday’s friendly against Tunisia where Enzo Maresca will hope the forward - as well as youngster Estevao Willian - comes through unscathed ahead of facing Burnley at the weekend.

Furthermore, Jamie Gittens appears to have allayed fears over a fresh injury blow as the west London outfit target a near full complement of health heading into a busy period of the season.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Chelsea injury news.

Cole Palmer

In a huge boost for Maresca, Chelsea are working to get Cole Palmer back fit in time to make his return from injury in the Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Standard Sport understands that it remains the hope of both Palmer and the club that he will have recovered from the reoccurring groin issue that has plagued him since the Club World Cup in time to feature against Barca.

While a cameo appearance against Burne has been mooted and not yet completely ruled out, it is the Barcelona fixture three days later that they are actively working towards.

Potential return date: November 25, 2025 vs Barcelona (H)

Pedro Neto

Pedro Neto withdrew from the Portugal squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Armenia.

Neto was replaced in the 77th minute of Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Wolves after suffering a groin injury, and following discussions between Chelsea and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), he was released from the national team to continue his recovery.

"Pedro Neto and Pedro Goncalves have been released from the national team for the matches against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia," the official statement from FPF reads.

Pedro Neto is in a battle to prove his fitness after missing Portugal’s fixtures during the international window

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"The Portuguese international winger will not join Martinez's squad, in a decision made jointly by Chelsea's medical department and the FPF's Health and Performance Department, due to physical problems that limit the player."

All concerned with Chelsea will be hopeful that this period of rest will have allowed for Neto to make a full recovery ahead of the trip to Burnley.

Potential return date: November 22, 2025 vs Burnley (A)

Jamie Gittens

Chelsea were dealt a fresh injury scare when Jamie Gittens limped off during victory for England Under-21s on Friday night.

Gittens started the 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in a UEFA Championship qualification fixture that was played in a torrential downpour at St Andrew's. However, the winger’s involvement came to an end just after the hour mark.

Gittens appeared to sustain the apparent injury after attempting to evade a tackle from Ireland left-back James McManus in the penalty area and headed straight down the tunnel upon being replaced just after the hour mark.

It would appear the knock for Gittens is not too serious as now issues have been reported and he is expected to travel with the England U21s squad for their clash against Slovakia on Tuesday as Lee Carsley’s side aim to leapfrog the Group D leaders.

Potential return date: November 22, 2025 vs Burnley (A)

Enzo Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez ruled himself out of international duty with Argentina after asking to be substituted in Chelsea’s win over Wolves due to a knee injury.

“I will not be available with Argentina,” Fernandez said. “I was just talking to the medical team because I had a problem with my knee in the last 4 months.

“I came with a bone edema that got worse in the last weeks and months because we played a lot of games.

“I think the most important thing is coming to the end of the season and I think it's good to make this decision together. Always respecting the doctors and everything.”

Fernandez missed Argentina 2-0 win against Angola and is expected to be assessed ahead of this weekend’s clash with Burnley at Turf Moor

Potential return date: Unknown

Romeo Lavia

Romeo Lavia lasted just five minutes of Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Qarabag.

The midfielder went down off the ball clutching his thigh, and after receiving treatment on pitch, he was promptly withdrawn, and cut a frustrated figure as he went straight down the tunnel to the dressing rooms for further medical assessment.

Lavia has now been ruled out for at least a month, meaning he will miss the double header against Barcelona and Arsenal.

Potential return date: December

Benoit Badiashile

Benoit Badiashile has been in and out of the Chelsea squad this season.

He missed early matches after picking up an injury at the Club World Cup before impressing on returns against Benfica and Liverpool.

The Frenchman, however, is now sidelined and has missed the last seven matches across all competitions. The good news is that he should be available again within the next couple of weeks.

Sidelined: Benoit Badiashile

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Speaking in October, Maresca said: “Benoit will be out until December, injury again.

“A muscle problem. He was doing fantastic, he showed all of this, he showed how he needed, and we're going to wait for him.”

Potential return date: December

Dario Essugo

Dario Essugo suffered a thigh injury while on international duty with portugal’s Under-21s in September, and was forced to undergo surgery.

No official timeframe has been given for his return to play, though reports suggest he will be back in action around January.

Potential return date: January 2026

Levi Colwill

Levi Colwill will miss most of the season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season. He underwent surgery in early August and is now in recovery.