Cole Palmer is absent again as Chelsea prepare to face Fulham in today’s Premier League west London derby.
Palmer was set to start last Friday’s 5-1 win over West Ham, only to be withdrawn minutes before the game after pulling up in the pre-match warm-up.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW CHELSEA VS FULHAM LIVE!
He now begins a spell on the sidelines with a groin injury and was omitted from the latest England squad named by Thomas Tuchel on Friday.
Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, revealed after the win over West Ham that Palmer played through groin pain in the goalless home draw with Crystal Palace on opening weekend.
Speaking on Friday, Maresca said Palmer would not face Fulham and that his recovery would be taken “day by day”.
Romeo Lavia remains unavailable but there is some hope within the club that the Belgian midfielder can return after the international break.
“Cole, we need to see day by day,” Maresca said. “[Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile] I don't think will be back until after the international break.”
In attack, Maresca repeats the trick he used at West Ham and deploys Liam Delap as a striker and Joao Pedro as a No10.
In defence, Malo Gusto keeps his place over Reece James at right-back, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah continuing together in the middle.
Nicolas Jackson is not in the squad as he travels to Germany to complete a loan switch to Bayern Munich, while Christopher Nkunku has now joined AC Milan.
Levi Colwill remains sidelined and is set to miss the majority of the season due to a serious knee injury.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto, Delap
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Fofana, James, Hato, Essugo, Andrey Santos, George, Gittens
Injured: Palmer, Badiashile, Lavia, Colwill
Unavailable: Mudryk
Time and date: 12:30pm BST on Saturday August 30, 2025
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
How to watch: TNT Sports
