Palmer withdraws from England for 'further assessment' of injury

03/19/2025 03:45 AM

Fingers crossed

Cole Palmer missed our game at the Emirates this past weekend due to a "muscle injury" and that has now also resulted, as expected, in his withdrawal from the England national team ahead of their World Cup qualifying matches this week.

Palmer's decision was confirmed briefly by Chelsea earlier on Tuesday, before that post was removed from the website. So perhaps someone jumped the gun. But England themselves would confirm it by the end of the day.

"Cole Palmer remains with Chelsea for further assessment on an injury sustained in training ahead of his club's fixture at Arsenal last Sunday."

-England update 4:30pm, Tuesday 18 March

Morgan Gibbs-White had been added to the squad on Sunday night already, presumably in anticipation of Palmer's withdrawal.

So now we wait for any news of Palmer's injury. He was supposed to have scans on Monday, but there's not been any word since. Here's what Enzo Maresca said after Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

"His injury was from [Saturday's training] session, it's a muscular problem. He needs a scan, and it is planned for [Monday] morning. I hope he can be back for our next game, but we need to wait for a scan.

"We don't wish players injury, but probably in Cole's case in this moment it will give him some rest, physically and mentally, it could be good."

-Enzo Maresca; source: Chelsea FC

Palmer definitely needs a break, but if he misses any actual gametime with this injury, that could be a big blow to any ambitions we may yet harbor of a top-four/five finish.