Cole Palmer's return to the Chelsea lineup has been delayed in the most unusual of circumstances: an injury sustained at home, reportedly during a heated session of FIFA. The news has been met with disbelief and humor, particularly from teammate Marc Cucurella, who couldn't resist a cheeky dig at Palmer's expense.
Palmer, who has been sidelined for two months with a groin injury sustained in September, was on the cusp of returning to training when disaster struck. According to reports, the 23-year-old fractured his toe after stubbing it on a door at home. While initially downplayed as a minor setback, the injury has ruled him out of Chelsea's crucial Champions League clash against Barcelona on Tuesday and cast doubt on his availability for Sunday's Premier League match against Arsenal.
Enter Marc Cucurella, who added fuel to the fire with his comments during a press conference. When asked about Palmer's injury, Cucurella couldn't help but joke about the situation. He implied that Palmer's injury occurred because of a FIFA game. "To be fair, I don't know. He's running because I think it's a FIFA game or something like this, I think," Cucurella said.
Cucurella's lighthearted remarks have been interpreted as a playful jab at Palmer's expense. He also added, "There's not much strength in the hair, but if that's his only problem, then he's all right". Despite the humor, Cucurella acknowledged the setback for the team, stating, "It's a big upset for us because he's near to play and train with us, now he needs to rest". He further added that these things happen sometimes.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca initially described the injury as "nothing important" but confirmed that Palmer would be unavailable for the upcoming games. However, Maresca offered a more optimistic update, indicating that Palmer is already back on the pitch and touching the ball while wearing a protective boot. Despite this, Maresca does not expect Palmer to be available for the Barcelona and Arsenal games. The UK's National Health Service suggests broken toes usually heal within four to six weeks, and advises against playing sports like football for six weeks or until the pain eases.
Palmer's absence is a significant blow for Chelsea, as he has been a key player since recovering from a groin injury that has kept him out since September. During his time off the field, Palmer has been working on his fitness and has noticeably changed his physique. His return was eagerly anticipated, especially with Chelsea facing crucial matches in the Champions League and Premier League.
This bizarre injury adds Palmer to a list of footballers who have suffered unusual injuries at home. While the circumstances are certainly comical, the impact on Chelsea's squad is very real. Fans will be hoping for a swift recovery and that Palmer's next gaming session is a little less eventful.
