Overview

• Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed Cole Palmer will miss the next three matches with a groin flare‑up, ruling him out of the Benfica visit to Stamford Bridge.
• Jose Mourinho called Palmer a phenomenal player and said he is happy the forward is unavailable, adding that Chelsea can cope without him.
• Mourinho warned Benfica would be in bigger trouble without Heorhiy Sudakov or Vangelis Pavlidis, underscoring his side’s reliance on key attackers.
• Chelsea also face center‑back absences against Benfica, with Tosin Adarabioyo sidelined by a calf injury and Wesley Fofana out with a concussion.
• Recently appointed after his Fenerbahce exit, Mourinho has started at Benfica with two wins and a draw, while also arguing Chelsea lost direction post‑Abramovich before Maresca restored a winning culture marked by Conference League and Club World Cup titles.