Chelsea provide injury return updates on Palmer and Fofana | OneFootball

Chelsea injury latest: Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and squad return dates

Chelsea head into their Carabao Cup tie with more questions than answers over player availability. Enzo Maresca has already seen his side go three games without a win in all competitions, and injury concerns are complicating his plans further. Supporters hoping for clarity on Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and other key names will need patience, as the medical bulletin remains mixed.

Cole Palmer fitness concern

Cole Palmer is again at the centre of Chelsea’s worries. Maresca explained the situation in detail after the weekend setback.

“He (Palmer) tried this morning. He had a test this morning to play this game,” said Maresca.

“He was not 100 per cent fit. He made a fantastic effort to play this game, but he was not 100 per cent.

“It’s a problem that is already a long time for him, his groin. Again, he did this morning a test. He wants to play this game for the team, to be close. So the effort has been huge from him.

“But then, after 20 minutes, he started to feel something, so we decided to change it.”

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The groin issue has been lingering for weeks, and while Palmer’s commitment cannot be questioned, there is no fixed return date. Fans will remember he withdrew from the line-up minutes before kick-off against West Ham last month, a reminder of how delicate his condition has become.

Wesley Fofana edging back

There was a brief scare involving Wesley Fofana, but his setback appears less serious. Maresca confirmed that the defender asked to come off, more through fatigue than injury.

“Wes asked for the change, because he was tired after a long time, so we changed and we decided to go for Tyrique, and the idea was to give Garnacho minutes.”

Given Fofana’s long spell on the sidelines last season, it is no surprise his fitness requires careful management. The expectation is that he will be available for the Carabao Cup tie at Lincoln, although a precautionary rest would not be out of the question.

Dario Essugo and Liam Delap setbacks

Chelsea’s midfield resources have also taken a hit. Summer signing Dario Essugo has undergone surgery on a thigh injury sustained while on Portugal Under-21 duty.

A club statement read: “Midfielder Dario Essugo has undergone successful surgery today on his thigh. The 20-year-old sustained the injury whilst on international duty for Portugal’s Under-21s. Medical assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action and Dario will now begin his recovery at Cobham, supported by the club’s medical department.”

The timeline suggests he may not be available until early 2026.

Up front, Liam Delap remains a doubt. The £30 million signing pulled up with a hamstring problem before the international break and is awaiting further tests. Chelsea are bracing themselves for the possibility of an extended absence.

Other absentees

Romeo Lavia and Benoît Badiashile are both working their way back to fitness after long layoffs. Each has been spotted training at Cobham, with hopes of a return in October.

Levi Colwill, however, will be missing for much longer. An anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in training means surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation. His absence will run deep into 2026, leaving Chelsea’s defensive resources stretched.

Chelsea’s medical bulletin paints a challenging picture for Maresca as he tries to stabilise results. The absence of players like Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana for even short periods could prove decisive in the weeks ahead, as fixture congestion intensifies and squad depth is tested.