- Cole Palmer has missed Chelsea’s last two games with a groin injury.
- The 23-year-old has been absent since August 22, when he pulled out during the West Ham warm-up.
- He also sat out England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
- Palmer has returned to training but may not be ready to start against Brentford.
- Chelsea face a heavy run of seven matches before the next international break.
- Maresca plans to ease Palmer back to avoid aggravating the injury.
- Chelsea remain second in the table despite his absence.
Chelsea could be handed a timely boost ahead of their London derby with Brentford, as playmaker Cole Palmer edges closer to a return from injury.
The 23-year-old has been sidelined since pulling up during the warm-up before Chelsea’s emphatic 5–1 win over West Ham on August 22. His groin problem also kept him out of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, sparking fears of a long-term absence.
Fortunately for the Blues, the setback is not considered serious. Palmer has already resumed light training, though his lack of full sessions means Saturday’s meeting at the Gtech Community Stadium may arrive too quickly for him to start.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has suggested the club will take no risks, with the squad preparing for a relentless run of seven matches before the October international break. The fixtures include heavyweight battles against Manchester United, Liverpool, and Champions League ties with Bayern Munich and Benfica, alongside a Carabao Cup test against Lincoln.
Despite Palmer’s absence, Chelsea have made a strong start to the campaign, sitting second in the Premier League after victories over West Ham and Fulham. Still, his creativity and attacking spark are expected to be crucial in the weeks ahead, especially with summer signing Liam Delap ruled out for three months.
