Chelsea's Cole Palmer to rest two to three weeks for groin injury

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer will be rested for two to three weeks to recover from a persistent groin injury, aiming to have him fully fit after the upcoming international break. Palmer, who has been struggling with this injury since the preseason following Chelsea's Club World Cup victory, was recently substituted early in the match against Manchester United due to aggravating the issue. Maresca emphasized that surgery is not required and the rest is a conservative measure to manage pain and prevent further damage. Alongside Palmer, defenders Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana are also sidelined, with Adarabioyo expected to miss games until after the international break and Fofana out due to a concussion. Chelsea is facing a challenging injury crisis, with several players unavailable, impacting squad rotation and availability for matches against Brighton, Liverpool, and Benfica before the break. Despite these setbacks, Maresca is focused on cautious player management to ensure fitness for the remainder of the season.