Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has suffered one of the most unexpected injuries of the season a fractured toe reportedly caused by frustration after losing a game of FIFA. Below you will see information about is news which has been summarized The Football Insight.
The 23-year-old was close to returning from a two-month groin injury when he stubbed his left foot on a door, delaying his comeback once again. Head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed the injury during a press conference, explaining that accidents like these “can happen to anyone.” He ruled Palmer out of matches against Barcelona and Arsenal, stressing that the setback wasn’t serious but still required a short rest.
Ahead of their Champions League clash, Maresca shared a more optimistic update. Palmer has already returned to light training, wearing a protective boot and working with the ball again. While he likely won’t feature this week, the club believes his return is close.
Cucurella’s Cheeky Explanation
Marc Cucurella couldn’t resist teasing Palmer when asked about the freak injury. The left-back suggested with a grin that Palmer may have been “running after losing a FIFA game,” joking that the outburst caused him to stub his toe. His light-hearted comment added humour to what was otherwise a frustrating moment for the young forward.
Cucurella admitted that while he doesn’t fully believe the story, these types of small injuries do happen in everyday life. He stressed that the squad is disappointed because Palmer was so close to returning to full training before this setback occurred.
Despite the jokes, Cucurella made it clear that the team is eager to have Palmer back. His creativity and calmness in the final third have been badly missed during Chelsea’s push in the Premier League and Europe.
Read Also: Could Xabi Alonso Return to Anfield? Ex-Red Says the Door Is Wide Open
A Challenging Year for Palmer
After a brilliant start to life at Chelsea following his move from Manchester City, 2025 has been far more difficult for Palmer. Injuries and a loss of rhythm have limited him to just four appearances this season. A persistent groin problem has been especially tough to manage, improving one day and worsening the next.
Maresca admitted earlier this season that Palmer’s condition requires daily monitoring, with no clear timeline for full recovery. These unpredictable setbacks have prevented him from regaining the form that once made him Chelsea’s most dangerous attacker.
Even with limited minutes, Palmer has scored twice in just over 230 minutes of action. Chelsea’s attack often looks sharper with him on the pitch, and the club hopes his return will help restore the fluency they enjoyed last year.
Chelsea Face Season-Shaping Tests
Chelsea have recovered well after a shaky start, climbing to second in the Premier League thanks to three straight wins. But this week could define their season. They host Barcelona in a crucial Champions League tie before welcoming league leaders Arsenal to Stamford Bridge. Victories in both matches would boost confidence and prove that Chelsea can compete at the highest level under Maresca.
Losing them, however, could derail momentum at a key moment in the campaign. With Palmer still sidelined, others will need to step up. But if Chelsea can navigate this challenging week successfully, they’ll enter the winter stretch with belief and soon, perhaps, with Palmer back in action too. Follow footballcoasters.co.uk for weekly deep dives into football’s biggest story.