Chelsea forward Cole Palmer will not need immediate surgery on a groin injury that forced him off during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United, manager Enzo Maresca said Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Palmer, 23, has been dealing with the problem for several weeks and managed only 21 minutes at Old Trafford before leaving the pitch. The setback has raised concerns over the England international’s fitness as Chelsea prepare for a busy run of matches.

Maresca, however, moved to calm fears of a long-term absence.

“The medical staff didn’t mention to me about surgery,” Maresca told reporters. “I don’t know if in the next days or the next weeks, but I don’t think so, to be honest.”

The Italian coach said Palmer was determined to play against United despite being less than fully fit.

“He made a huge effort on Saturday to try to play the game,” Maresca said. “He did the test, and he was OK, but not 100 percent. He wanted to be there to help his teammates. Unfortunately, it was painful, so we decided to change it. Now it’s more day-by-day, week-by-week, game-by-game to see how it is and then decide what we do.”

Set to Miss League Cup Match

Palmer is expected to sit out Chelsea’s League Cup third-round tie on Tuesday at Lincoln City, a League One club currently enjoying strong form.

Chelsea will also be without midfielder Romeo Lavia and defender Benoit Badiashile, leaving Maresca with limited options for the trip.

The coach suggested he may turn to Chelsea’s youth academy to fill gaps in the squad, but admitted the approach carries risk in a knockout competition.

“These are the games that worry me most, because you can slip up very easily,” Maresca said. “Football is full of these kinds of games, and I am very worried about that.”

Key Player for Chelsea

Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023, has been one of the team’s most important players over the past year. His creativity and ability to score in big matches helped Chelsea finish strongly last season and earned him a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024.

This season, injuries have limited his impact. He has started only two Premier League matches and has yet to complete a full 90 minutes.

Chelsea fans will be hoping Palmer avoids a lengthy spell on the sidelines. With the club competing in the Premier League, domestic cups and European football, his presence is seen as vital to Maresca’s first campaign in charge.

Injury Concerns Pile Up

Palmer’s setback adds to a growing list of fitness issues at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have struggled with injuries to key players over the past two seasons, a problem that has disrupted consistency on the pitch.

Maresca, who took over as manager in the summer, has emphasized the need for patience as he builds a team capable of challenging for trophies. But he acknowledged that squad depth will be tested in the coming weeks.

Looking Ahead

For now, Chelsea are focusing on their midweek trip to Lincoln, followed by a return to Premier League action at home next weekend.

Palmer’s condition will continue to be monitored by medical staff, with updates expected before the next league fixture.

While surgery is not on the table, the decision to manage the injury on a game-by-game basis means Maresca faces uncertainty over when his star forward will return at full strength.

“Cole is very important for us,” Maresca said. “We need him, but we also need to protect him. It’s a balance, and we will see how he improves.”

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