Chelsea's Cole Palmer Faces Ongoing Groin Injury, England Fitness Concerns

England manager Thomas Tuchel has expressed significant concern over Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer's ongoing groin injury, which has kept him out of five of the last seven England international camps. Palmer, 23, has struggled with this persistent and potentially chronic issue, limiting his ability to play consistently for both club and country ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Tuchel emphasized the importance of Palmer being pain-free before returning, noting that when fit, Palmer has the quality to influence games at both levels. Despite hopes for a return after the international break, Tuchel said it would be surprising if Palmer features in Chelsea's upcoming match against Nottingham Forest. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer's recovery timeline remains unclear and that the club will hold further discussions to assess his condition. With only two international breaks remaining before the World Cup, Tuchel is concerned about the limited time to integrate Palmer into the England squad due to his injury absences.