Need to know
Chelsea will face Napoli in the Champions League and Liam Rosenior has offered an update on Cole Palmer’s fitness
Everything you need to know about Chelsea’s current injury list and potential return dates ahead of the Champions League clash against Napoli…
- Cole Palmer (thigh/groin): Palmer has travelled to Italy and Liam Rosenior has confirmed that the playmaker is part of the squad to face Napoli today. While he has missed the last two matches with a minor thigh strain, he is expected to feature either as a starter or from the bench.
- What Liam Rosenior said about Palmer’s future: “It’s simple, Cole’s an incredible player,” Rosenior said. “The guy sitting next to me [Moises Caicedo], I’ve seen many players in the group [who are incredible]. I’m not surprised at the timing. A new manager comes in and all of a sudden there’s people unsettled. It’s not true. Cole’s here, he’s very happy and I can’t wait to see him back on the pitch.”
- Filip Jorgensen (unspecified): After being withdrawn at half-time against Pafos last week, Jorgensen has responded well to treatment and travelled with the team. He has been passed fit and is available for selection against Napoli this evening.
- Romeo Lavia (thigh): Lavia is nearing a comeback but is still clearing the final fitness hurdles before he returns to full training. While there was outside hope for a return against Napoli, he is currently considered a major doubt and more likely to return in mid-February.
- Tosin Adarabioyo (hamstring): Adarabioyo remains sidelined with a suspected hamstring injury he picked up during the win over Brentford earlier this month. He is expected to be out for at least another two weeks, with a potential return date around February 13.
- Dario Essugo (unspecified): Essugo suffered a setback during a training session and is facing a significant spell on the sidelines. Rosenior confirmed he will likely be unavailable until early March as he recovers from the unfortunate injury.
- Levi Colwill (ACL): Colwill is a long-term absentee after undergoing surgery for a serious knee injury sustained last summer. He is ruled out for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign and is targeting a return in June 2026 for the next pre-season.
