Chelsea has been rocked by a major injury blow, with a key player officially ruled out of the Barcelona tie following a freak accident
The Spanish giants, still fighting to secure a place in the top eight after a challenging group stage, will travel to London knowing their opposition will be without a key creative force who has been sorely missed during his recent absence.
The latest setback for Chelsea, caused by a bizarre accident, could prove to be a decisive factor as the Catalans seek a crucial result to reignite their European campaign.
The player in question is Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s dynamic 23-year-old forward. Palmer, who has already demonstrated his goalscoring ability this season with two goals in just four appearances, suffered a broken toe in an unfortunate domestic accident at his residence, as confirmed by manager Enzo Maresca, as reported by Sky Sports.
Previously sidelined with a groin injury, Palmer was nearing a return in time for the high-stakes Barcelona clash.
However, the freak toe injury has now ensured he will not feature against the Blaugrana, nor will he be available for the upcoming fixture against Arsenal.
Chelsea manager Maresca expressed his disappointment regarding the incident, revealing that Palmer’s toe is fractured and he will miss all action for at least the next week.
This news puts a dent in Chelsea’s attacking options and hampers their hopes of fielding their strongest lineup for a match that promises to shape the trajectory of both clubs’ Champions League aspirations.
For Barcelona, the absence of Palmer from the Chelsea lineup will provide added optimism as they prepare for a trip to London, with the knowledge that one of their toughest opponents will be watching from the sidelines.
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