According to The Chelsea Chronicle, Cole Palmer may have been Chelsea’s brightest star in their 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, but all eyes turned to the England international’s fitness after he appeared to be nursing his groin at the final whistle.
Palmer, who announced himself on the Champions League stage with a brilliantly taken goal, was arguably the Blues’ most influential player at the Allianz Arena.
Yet, as supporters celebrated his dazzling display, concerns quickly mounted when he was spotted holding the same area that had sidelined him earlier this season.
Palmer’s return to the starting lineup was a much-anticipated moment for Chelsea fans, especially after he suffered a setback against West Ham in only the second game of the campaign.
His goal against Bayern was a reminder of why Enzo Maresca has placed so much trust in him—a composed finish on Europe’s biggest stage that underlined his growing importance to the team. He even came close to doubling his tally, only for VAR to rule out a second strike due to a marginal offside decision.
Speaking after the game, Maresca moved quickly to address the fears of supporters. The Chelsea manager revealed that Palmer himself had reassured him the issue was nothing serious.
“Cole, I think he’s okay. I asked him after the game, he said that he’s okay,” Maresca told Football London. While the words will calm nerves for now, the coach also hinted that he would not rush Palmer back into constant action, acknowledging the risk of aggravating the problem if he plays too many minutes too soon.
Chelsea’s next challenge is a high-pressure trip to Old Trafford, and Palmer’s availability could define the contest. Despite Manchester United’s struggles over the past 18 months, Chelsea have not beaten them at their own ground since 2013—a record that haunts the club every time the fixture comes around.
Palmer himself was only 11 years old when the Blues last tasted victory at the Theatre of Dreams, but he has already shown he knows how to hurt United, having scored against them in Chelsea colors last season.
The stakes could hardly be higher. With United still inconsistent under Rúben Amorim, Chelsea supporters see this as the perfect opportunity to break their Old Trafford hoodoo. Yet without Palmer, the team may lack the cutting edge needed to capitalize on their opponent’s weaknesses.
Maresca is likely to face a key selection dilemma: protect his young star from risk, or unleash him in a game that could shift the momentum of Chelsea’s season.