Cole Palmer
23-Year-Old
Chelsea
Premier
OUT
Injury Groin
Est. Return 11/1/2025
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Palmer followed up his breakout campaign with 15 goals and eight assists in 2024/25, though it was a slight dip from the previous season's 22 goals and 11 assists. Notably, that prior production came in 581 fewer minutes, albeit with a ridiculous nine penalties converted (he took one last season). Still just 23 years old, Palmer should remain one of the best fantasy options in the league. Despite Chelsea adding numerous bodies to the attack, it's hard to see Palmer losing starts, keeping his floor higher than most having not dealt with a bad injury the past two years. There is some concern his numbers dropped in the second half of last season, but some of that can be attributed to injuries around him, something that shouldn't be a problem again given Chelsea's summer spending.
Return timeline in weeks
Palmer (groin) will be out for weeks, not months, but is expected to be out until early November, per Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail.
ANALYSIS
Palmer doesn't have an exact timeline on his return, but the time frame is expected to be weeks not months. The expectation is he will be out until early November, but Gill reinforced that Palmer doesn't need surgery. Estevao will continue to play a larger role while Palmer is left sidelined.
Palmer doesn't have an exact timeline on his return, but the time frame is expected to be weeks not months. The expectation is he will be out until early November, but Gill reinforced that Palmer doesn't need surgery. Estevao will continue to play a larger role while Palmer is left sidelined.
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More Fantasy News
Return date uncertain
Palmer (groin) doesn't have an exact return date yet, per manager Enzo Maresca. "I don't have any update at the moment [on Palmer]. We have a meeting this week to see how he is and we will then decide [whether he can return after the international break]."
ANALYSIS
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Out until international break
Palmer (groin) will be out until the international break, manager Enzo Maresca told reporters."We decided to protect a little bit Cole in terms of his injuries not getting worse. We decided to rest him for the next two or three weeks before the international break to see if he can recover 100% and be fully fit from the international break."
ANALYSIS
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Potentially out weeks
Palmer (groin) has been reported to have suffered a "new tear" in his groin and could miss around six weeks, although the club has yet to confirm this statement, according to Simon Phillips.
ANALYSIS
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Taking things day by day
Palmer (groin) played through pain in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Manchester United and was forced off as he could not continue, but he does not require surgery for the time being, coach Enzo Maresca confirmed Monday. "He already made a huge effort last Saturday to try and play the game. He tried Saturday morning, he was not 100 per cent, but he wanted to be there to help his team-mates in that kind of game. It was painful [for him], so we decided to change. We await day by day to see how he is and then decide what we do."
ANALYSIS
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Still not fully 100 percent
Palmer (groin) wasn't fully healthy in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Manchester United, manager Enzo Maresca said during his post-game press conference, according to Simon Johnson of The Athletic. "Cole this morning did a test to play this game. He was not 100%. It was a fantastic effort for the club, for his team-mates, for the team. Unfortunately he was not 100 percent. He decided it was too much."
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Real Madrid showing interest
Real Madrid are interested in signing Palmer, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
ANALYSIS
The 22-year-old playmaker is drawing attention from Real Madrid because of his consistent performances at Chelsea. Palmer is considered one of the best under-23 talents in the world, though it's unclear where he'll play in Real Madrid's current scheme. Plus, Palmer are not expected to entertain offers for him.
The 22-year-old playmaker is drawing attention from Real Madrid because of his consistent performances at Chelsea. Palmer is considered one of the best under-23 talents in the world, though it's unclear where he'll play in Real Madrid's current scheme. Plus, Palmer are not expected to entertain offers for him.