EXCLUSIVE: Sources say major change to Cole Palmer return date after training update | OneFootball

The good news is that the final international break of the year is almost over. It’s so close to done that we’re already thinking about team news for this weekend’s game.

Typically, Chelsea are in action in the Saturday early kick off. And one player already looks to have been ruled out. Getting Cole Palmer back for a cameo after such a long period out was always going to be a gamble, and it looks like he’s not been able to get up to speed in time.

Palmer’s return date slips again

Cole Palmer grabs the ball (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Our writer Simon Phillips is today citing his sources who have told him that the plan was for the midfielder to get half an hour at the weekend to try and get him up to speed for a more significant contribution against Barcelona next week.

However, he’s been told that these came “are just arriving too soon,” for the midfielder. He’s not yet back in group training, and we should expect his first cameo on the pitch to come until next weekend’s game against Arsenal at the earliest.

It’s disappointing, but not surprising. If Palmer was going to play this weekend, we would have seen him already back with the group. Whether or not the injury is still an issue, he’s simply run out of time to build up match fitness.

It’s a shame to not have him this weekend or against Barcelona, a game in which he’s “desperate” to play, but the important thing is having him fit long term.

In other news…

Tyrique George helped fill up some time in these final days before club action is back by answering questions about his teammates and their tendencies.

Kenan Yildiz remains a name that’s being talked about as a potential Chelsea target despite it sounding pretty unlikely that he makes a move in January. Are you buying it?