Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer is expected to remain out of action until after next month’s international break, as manager Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday. The decision aims to allow the 23-year-old England international sufficient time to recover from a persistent groin injury. Palmer was forced off during the first half of Chelsea’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Manchester United last week, marking the team’s first loss of the season. This injury had previously kept him sidelined for matches against West Ham and Fulham. Maresca emphasized the club’s cautious approach, stating, ‘We decided to rest him for the next two or three weeks, probably until the international break, to ensure he can recover fully and return to peak fitness.’ While the injury does not require surgery, the manager acknowledged the need to manage Palmer’s discomfort carefully. ‘It’s just a matter of managing his pain in the groin, which can occur with the frequency of games,’ Maresca explained. Chelsea faces a busy schedule with upcoming matches against Brighton, Benfica, and Liverpool, followed by a two-week international break. Meanwhile, defender Tosin Adarabioyo is also expected to miss action until the break due to a calf injury, and Wesley Fofana is recovering from a concussion sustained in Chelsea’s League Cup win over Lincoln. The team’s goalkeeping situation has also drawn attention after Robert Sanchez’s red card in the Manchester United match and Filip Jorgensen’s underwhelming performance against Lincoln. However, Maresca expressed confidence in both goalkeepers, stating, ‘We are happy with Robert and Filip. Mistakes happen, but they remain valuable to the team.’