Palmer, Tosin & Andrey Santos: Latest Chelsea injury news and return dates ahead of Liverpool clash
Chelsea have been hit with several first-team injury issues in recent weeks
Chelsea have had a mixed start to the new season and have already seen the Club World Cup begin to take its toll on Enzo Maresca’s side.
The Blues won the new-look tournament in July and barely had the opportunity for a pre-season as a result, with club chiefs said to believe they almost had “two seasons in one”. Just six weeks into the new campaign, the effects are plain to see as Enzo Maresca’s squad begin to be hit with increased injury issues ahead of the international break.
Down in eighth in the Premier League following two successive defeats to Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion, discipline has also become an issue with the Blues seeing a player sent off in both matches, then once again in midweek as they ran out 1-0 winners against Benfica and Jose Mourinho in the Champions League. Injury updates for several key first-team stars have now emerged ahead of a crunch clash against champions Liverpool this weekend.
How long will Cole Palmer be injured for?
The hope will be that Cole Palmer is fit to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground after the international break. The Blues’ talisman has only made four appearances in all competitions so far this season due to a recurring groin issue. He was ruled out of the games against Brighton, Benfica and next up at home to Liverpool with the aim of a return later this month.
It has been revealed by The Mirror that, in a worst-case scenario, we may see Palmer out for three months if he has to undergo surgery on his groin. Maresca and the club are not said to be considering this as a necessity at present but it depends on how Palmer’s recovery goes over the coming weeks. Blues fans will firmly hope all goes to plan, as it would be a blow to both club and country if the 23-year-old is ruled out for the rest of the year.
Who are the latest Chelsea players on the sidelines?
Palmer is not the only Chelsea man ruled out until after the international break, as the same fate has also befallen Tosin Adarabioyo. The centre-back picked up a “small calf injury” ahead of the Brighton match and will not return until after the break, targeting a return against Forest as report the Standard.
He has been joined by Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, who was left out of the squad to face Benfica and has now been ruled out by Maresca with injury. The 21-year-old made his first Premier League start against Brighton and will hope to be back in action after the international break.
The same applies to Wesley Fofana, who was concussed by team-mate Filip Jorgensen against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup and will be on the sidelines for 12 days due to concussion protocol. He is also targeting a return on October 18 against Ange Postecoglou’s Forest.
Chelsea were boosted by the returns of previous absentees Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile to the squad against Brighton, with both making an appearance off the bench while the latter started in the victory over Benfica. Maresca confirmed after the match that several players are still playing through pain, with Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro believed to be the players in question.
The Blues also remain without long-term absentees Liam Delap (thigh, potential return November 2025), Levi Colwill (ACL, return 2026), and Dario Essugo (thigh surgery, return 2026).