Overview

• Reports indicate Palmer could miss up to six weeks with an aggravated groin/muscle issue, with Maresca saying surgery has not been confirmed.
• The injury surfaced during an August 22 warm-up, with brief returns against Brentford and Bayern before a first-half withdrawal at Manchester United.
• Multiple outlets report Palmer is dissatisfied with his tactical role under Maresca, increasing scrutiny on the manager’s approach.
• Analysts tie Chelsea’s sluggish start to injuries and a compressed Club World Cup summer, while questioning a youth‑first transfer strategy.
• Maresca’s decisions drew criticism after Robert Sanchez’s early red card at Old Trafford, the goalkeeping hierarchy remains under fire per Chris Sutton, and a run against Brighton, Benfica and Liverpool arrives with Chelsea sixth and eight points off the lead.