Cole Palmer injury return update, medics’ decision, noticeable change to Chelsea star

Chelsea await Cole Palmer’s return from a groin injury after the November international break, with matches against Arsenal, Barcelona and Burnley now coming up

Cole Palmer reportedly could return for Chelsea as soon as their Champions League match against Barcelona.

Palmer is back to training outside at Cobham after spending two months working in the gym. That is said to have caused a noticeable change in his physique.

He has missed Chelsea’s last 11 matches. Palmer was last seen limping off during the first half of September’s defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The club chose to allow him the necessary recovery. That decision came as opposed to continuing to manage his groin pain.

Surgery was never a serious consideration. Palmer consulted several groin specialists for advice while undergoing treatment at the club.

The Telegraph reports Palmer is desperate to be part of England’s World Cup squad. Thomas Tuchel is said to have kept in contact with Chelsea and the player over recent months.

He has been part of just one squad since the German replaced interim coach Lee Carsley at the start of this year. That was during the summer, when Palmer started the 1-0 win over Andorra at Villa Park.

For the following friendly against Senegal, the midfielder remained an unused substitute. He has featured in just three of England’s 16 matches since the European Championship final.

Tuchel recently spoke about the number of players in Palmer’s position at his disposal. He said: “Especially in the number ten position, if you think about Phil, who could play there, if you think about Jude, you think about Morgan Rogers, who played fantastic for us in this position.

“You have Cole Palmer, you have Morgan Gibbs-White, so there are a lot of players, and there’s the chance that we will not take everyone to the World Cup.”

Enzo Maresca remained vague when offering his most recent update at the end of October. He said: “With Cole, the plan is exactly the same. We will wait, and hopefully he can be back soon.”

Maresca outlined that plan earlier in the month. The Blues boss said: “Unfortunately, he needs to be out for probably six more weeks. This is the update.

“We try to protect Cole as much as we can, and the most important thing is that when he comes back, he is fully fit. We hope the six weeks will be enough, but it’s a problem that we need to look at step by step, week by week, but for sure he is going to be OK.”