Injuries can test even the strongest of players, but Chelsea’s Cole Palmer seems determined to make his return stronger than ever.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been sidelined for weeks, yet he’s keeping fans in the loop with a mix of honesty, motivation, and a bit of cheeky humour on social media.
Inside Palmer’s Recovery Routine
Palmer hasn’t played since mid-September, when he limped off during Chelsea’s 2–1 defeat to Manchester United.
Initially, the club hoped his groin injury would heal in just a few weeks.
But as time went on, it became clear that recovery would take longer than expected.
Last month, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer would likely be out for another six weeks — hinting that the talented playmaker might not return until the end of November.
A Message That Says It All
Taking to Instagram, Palmer shared several photos that showed fans what life has been like during his recovery.
Alongside shots of his gym sessions, one photo stood out — a whiteboard at Chelsea’s Cobham training base with a blunt message written across it:
“No one gives a f*, work harder.”**
Palmer captioned his post with, “Whatever the 5th pic says,” clearly using the quote as his own motivation mantra.
It’s a reminder that even in setbacks, he’s channeling his energy into discipline and determination.
Staying Close to the Game
Despite being unable to take the field, Palmer is still very much connected to his team.
Over the weekend, he shared another image celebrating Chelsea’s 1–0 win over Tottenham — a game he watched from home but clearly enjoyed just as much as the fans.
No Rush on His Return
Reports last week revealed that Palmer hasn’t yet resumed full training, despite photos showing him in Chelsea gear.
It turns out those pictures were taken during a special ceremony at Cobham, where Palmer and teammates Enzo Fernández, Marc Cucurella, Moisés Caicedo, and Trevoh Chalobah were honoured with framed “100” shirts for reaching a century of club appearances.
For now, Chelsea are being cautious. They’re not putting a fixed date on Palmer’s comeback, preferring to ensure he’s fully fit before returning to action.
What’s Next for the Blues
Chelsea are set to face Qarabag in the Champions League this Wednesday, and Palmer won’t be available.
He’ll also miss the Premier League clash against Wolves before the international break.
However, if his recovery goes as planned, there’s optimism he could feature in key late-November fixtures against Burnley, Barcelona, or Arsenal.
Chelsea’s Season So Far
It’s been a mixed bag for Maresca’s men this season. With Palmer sidelined for most of the campaign, Chelsea have managed to climb to seventh in the Premier League after 10 games.
Their latest victory over Tottenham has narrowed the gap — they now sit just two points away from second place.
Palmer’s return could not only lift spirits in the dressing room but also inject much-needed creativity back into Chelsea’s midfield — and fans are certainly eager to see him back where he belong