The fixtures Cole Palmer could miss for Chelsea after crushing injury update

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Chelsea’s season has been dealt a significant blow because Cole Palmer faces even longer on the sidelines with his groin injury.

Cole Palmer, 23, is the talisman of the Blues squad, so losing him for any length of time leaves a major hole.

The English attacking midfielder missed a few games before the international break and wasn’t involved with his country.

There was hope Palmer could return to face Tottenham on 1 November. However, the latest update from Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca suggests otherwise.

• READ MORE: Eden Hazard thinks Cole Palmer is better than Mohamed Salah in key area

The Chelsea fixtures Cole Palmer could miss

On Friday morning, Maresca confirmed in his pre-match press conference for this weekend’s Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest that Palmer’s injury is worse than feared. He said via Chelsea’s official website: “I was wrong, unfortunately, he needs to be out probably for six more weeks. So, yes, this is the update.”

If Palmer misses the next six weeks, it feels like a crushing blow for his side.

Let’s take a look at the upcoming fixtures he could be absent for, including some eye-catching matches in the Premier League and Champions League.

Chelsea host rivals Arsenal on Sunday 30 November in the Premier League, so let’s wait and see if that is a potential return date for Palmer. In the meantime, Maresca will need to get creative and try to navigate his way through some tough games without the star attacking threat.

Palmer, who’s the best Maresca has ever coached, leaves a void that is almost impossible to fill. For the likes of Tottenham and Barcelona, they will enjoy playing Chelsea a lot more without him on the pitch.

Facundo Buonanotte may end up playing more than people expected

It surprised plenty of supporters when Facundo Buonanotte, 20, joined Chelsea from Brighton on a season-long loan in the summer. All of a sudden, the diminutive attacking midfielder could play an important role in the squad.

In his three Blues appearances so far this campaign, he’s looked surprisingly composed and eye-catching on the ball.

Of course, Buonanotte shouldn’t be expected to fill the Palmer void. We could even see the likes of Enzo Fernandez or Estevao Willian preferred in the number 10 position before him. The on-loan Chelsea playmaker should expect more minutes because of the injury news, though.