Chelsea’s Cole Palmer Likely to Avoid Groin Surgery, Says Maresca

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca has said that forward, Cole Palmer is unlikely to undergo surgery on the groin injury that forced him off during the club’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Palmer, who has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season, was substituted after just 20 minutes of the match, sparking fears over a potentially lengthy layoff. The 22-year-old has previously struggled with groin discomfort this season, raising concerns about a recurring issue.

Speaking at a post-match press conference, Maresca said the club’s medical staff had not mentioned surgery as an option and expressed optimism that the England international would recover without an operation.

“At the moment, the medical team has not spoken about surgery. We are taking it day by day and game by game,” Maresca said. “We’re hopeful Cole will recover well without needing an operation.”

While Chelsea has yet to confirm how long Palmer will be sidelined, he is expected to miss the club’s upcoming Carabao Cup fixture against Lincoln City as he continues treatment.

Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City last season and has quickly established himself as a key figure in the team’s attack, contributing goals and assists across competitions.

His injury adds to Maresca’s selection challenges as the Blues seek to climb the Premier League table after a mixed start to the season.