Just when Chelsea fans thought they were close to seeing Cole Palmer back on the pitch, fate took a wildly unexpected turn. The 23-year-old forward, already recovering from a groin injury, has now suffered another setback—this time in perhaps the most frustrating and unlikely way possible. According to manager Enzo Maresca, Palmer fractured his toe after accidentally stubbing it on a door at home, delaying his return yet again.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Chelsea have been cautiously optimistic about Palmer’s progress after months of rehabilitation, but the bizarre injury has now ruled him out of the next slate of matches, including major fixtures against Barcelona and Arsenal.
It’s the kind of incident that would leave any player speechless—being sidelined not by a fierce tackle or intense training session, but by a door frame.
Speaking to the media, Maresca confirmed that the incident was, unfortunately, serious enough to cause a fracture to Palmer’s left foot.
“Unfortunately he had an accident at home with his toe,” Maresca explained. “It’s fractured. He is probably not available for Saturday, for Barcelona, or for Arsenal. It’s nothing important, but he won’t be back next week.”
Maresca even shared the moment he last saw Palmer in the dressing room—barefoot, seemingly fine, and without a noticeable limp—but acknowledged that a broken small toe can bring surprising levels of pain and mobility limitations, especially for someone whose dominant foot is now compromised.
This setback adds to a difficult recovery stretch. Palmer had been expected to return shortly after the November international break. In late October, Maresca had already walked back earlier optimistic estimates, admitting the original timetable was inaccurate and that the medical team needed six more weeks to ensure a full recovery.
“The medical staff are not magicians,” Maresca said at the time. “We hope six weeks are enough. We need to see it step by step.”
Just as Palmer was preparing to rejoin full training, an everyday household accident hit pause on the process.
Palmer’s bizarre toe injury will likely be remembered as one of the most unusual setbacks in recent Premier League history. And when he finally returns—whether in December or early January—Chelsea supporters will be hoping it’s the last twist in a season that has already delivered plenty of surprises.
