Chelsea fans finally have a reason to smile again. Star midfielder Cole Palmer is set to return just in time for the Premier League match against Everton this Saturday.
After weeks of uncertainty, his comeback feels like a breath of fresh air for a squad that has struggled with injuries from the start of the season. But while Palmer’s return brings hope, Chelsea still face a serious problem: four key players remain unavailable, and some could be out for a long time.
Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer is fit and ready. The young England international missed Wednesday’s Champions League defeat in Italy because the club wanted to protect him during his recovery.
Palmer has played only six games this season across all competitions due to a persistent groin injury that has troubled him since September. Maresca explained that the decision to leave him out of the travelling squad was part of a careful return plan, designed to avoid any setbacks.
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Last weekend, Palmer came off the bench in the goalless draw at Bournemouth, showing brief flashes of his skill. Before that, he made his first appearance back during the defeat against Leeds United.
Even though he missed Monday’s training session, Maresca said this was expected and part of managing his fitness step by step. During Thursday’s media update, the manager said, “Yes, he is okay. He is better, he is available at the moment with one more session available. He finished the session with us with a mixed feeling but he is okay.”
Maresca’s confidence in Palmer is a huge boost, especially with the pressure growing on Chelsea to climb the league table. But the Chelsea boss also provided more updates, some positive, others worrying, about the rest of his squad.
One of the brighter notes was the condition of Wesley Fofana. The French defender returned to the field in the second half of the Champions League match in Bergamo but had to leave again after suffering an eye injury. Fortunately, Maresca confirmed that Fofana completed Thursday’s training session and is “fine.”
But beyond those two bits of good news, the rest of the updates paint a tough picture for Chelsea. Up front, the problems continue to mount.
Liam Delap is expected to miss several more weeks after injuring his shoulder in the game against Bournemouth. Delap had already been struggling to settle in West London, and this injury only delays his hopes of finding consistent form. The timing could not be worse for a Chelsea side that already feels short of attacking options.
Another long-term concern is midfielder Romeo Lavia, whose time at Chelsea has been filled with frustration. Lavia joined Chelsea for £53 million from Southampton in 2023, but injuries have kept him from having a stable run in the team. Since his arrival, he has managed to play only 29 matches. His most recent setback came during the Champions League draw against Qarabag in November.
Maresca said last week, “It’s a muscle problem,” and admitted that the club does not yet know when Lavia will return. When asked if the injury would keep him out for a short or long period, Maresca replied simply, “We don’t know.”
Dario Essugo adds to the list of midfielders unavailable. The young Portuguese player has been out since September after suffering a thigh injury while training with Portugal’s Under-21 team. His return date is still unclear, though the club expects him back either late this year or early in 2026.
Maresca told reporters, “For sure, he is not available for the next three games. I don’t think it is serious. We need to check him, as it happened yesterday. Unfortunately, it was just yesterday, so I don’t know.”
Then there is Levi Colwill, perhaps the most painful absence of all. Colwill has not played a single match this season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during pre-season in August.
He later underwent surgery, and while reports say the recovery is going smoothly, it will still take many months before he can even think about returning to full action. His absence continues to weaken Chelsea’s defense and forces Maresca to rotate more than he would like.
These repeated injuries raise bigger questions about Chelsea’s luck, training intensity, and medical planning.
Maresca has spoken many times about the importance of careful recovery and protecting young players, and Palmer’s return is an example of that approach working well. But as other players continue to fall out of the squad, the team must find ways to perform with limited options.
Still, Palmer’s comeback could not have come at a better moment. Chelsea badly need creativity, calmness, and goals from midfield. Palmer proved last season that he can be a match-winner, and supporters hope he will bring that spark back immediately. His return is likely to lift the dressing room, improve link-up play, and relieve pressure from an attack that has looked disconnected.
Everton will test Chelsea physically and mentally, and with so many players unavailable, Maresca must rely on discipline, teamwork, and the strength of his remaining squad. The manager is known for trusting young talent, but even he knows that Premier League matches demand both experience and depth.
As Chelsea prepare for Saturday, the mood is a mixture of hope and fear. Hope because Palmer is back. Fear because the injury list is still long. The coming weeks will show whether the team can handle these challenges or whether the season will continue to feel like an uphill battle.
For now, Chelsea fans will focus on the positive. Cole Palmer is ready. He is fit. And he could be the spark that helps Chelsea finally find consistency again.
