Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is nearing a return to action but will miss both the Champions League clash with Barcelona and the Premier League showdown with Arsenal, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed on Monday.

Palmer, who picked up a groin injury in August before making a sharp comeback with goals against Brentford and Bayern Munich, was close to full fitness when an unexpected setback at home stalled his progress. The 23-year-old England international fractured his toe after stubbing it on a door during the night, delaying his return by several days.

“Cole is wearing a protective boot,” Maresca told reporters.
“We don’t know exactly when he’ll be back, but it will be soon. He’s already on the pitch and working with the ball — the sensations are good.
I don’t think he’ll be available for the next two games, but he’s doing well.”

Chelsea head into the week six points behind league-leaders Arsenal, having collected 23 points from 12 matches. The two sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but Maresca insisted he is focused on what comes first: five-time Champions League winners Barcelona.

“It’s a big week, but it’s just the start,” the Italian coach said.
“We still have Leeds away, Bournemouth away, Atalanta away. Every match is three points.
Barcelona tomorrow and Arsenal on Sunday are important for different reasons, but we must go game by game.”

Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal pose major threats

Barcelona arrive in London with plenty of attacking firepower. Robert Lewandowski, now 37, has scored eight LaLiga goals this season — second only to Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé’s 13. Meanwhile, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal sits second in the league’s assist charts with six and remains one of Europe’s most dangerous young creators.

Maresca acknowledged the challenge ahead:

“Lewandowski is a fantastic player. His whole career shows he can do the most important thing in football — score goals.
We’ll try to defend as a team, be aggressive, like always.
But they have so many players… Yamal, Fermín López, Frenkie de Jong.”

Chelsea will hope Palmer’s return is not far off as the fixtures pile up — but for now, they must take on Barcelona and Arsenal without their influential forward.