Following a final discussion with both Sir Jim and the board, we have ultimately reached a decision regarding Cole Palmer future to join Manchester United. It was a challenging choice, but one that had to be made

Palmer’s goal tally and match appearances during an interrupted campaign

Cole Palmer has faced a challenging and fragmented 2025-26 season, with physical setbacks significantly limiting his availability on the pitch. The talented playmaker has managed to feature in only 13 matches across all competitive fixtures, during which he’s contributed five goals to Chelsea’s cause.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder remains a cornerstone of Chelsea’s tactical setup whenever he’s physically capable of taking the field, which explains why the club’s medical and coaching staff consistently adopt a cautious approach with his fitness management. This protective mindset directly influenced the decision to keep Palmer out of the squad for the European encounter against Cypriot side Pafos.

The reasoning behind Palmer’s absence from the Pafos fixture and James situation update

Speaking to the media ahead of the Pafos match, Rosenior explained that Palmer was dealing with “little bit of tightness in his thigh”. Chelsea’s head coach elaborated on the precautionary nature of the decision, expressing confidence that the club’s number 10 would be available for selection when they travel to face Crystal Palace on Sunday. Rosenior stated: “It was precautionary.

“He felt something really minor in the game against Brentford. It was quite early on so credit to him for playing through it. I don’t want to risk any players at this stage, especially players of his quality. He’s got a really good chance to be involved and start the game on Sunday, and we will keep preparing him for that.”

While concerns surrounding Palmer’s physical condition have been largely put to rest, separate fitness worries have emerged regarding club captain Reece James and reserve goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Both players were unable to complete the European fixture against Pafos.

The pair were withdrawn from the action during the interval, forcing Rosenior to reorganize his team at half-time. Regular number one goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was brought on, along with highly-rated Brazilian teenage sensation Estevao, who came off the bench as substitutes. Chelsea managed to secure all three points with a narrow 1-0 triumph, thanks to Moises Caicedo’s late strike in the 78th minute.

Addressing Jorgensen’s situation, with the exact nature of his injury still unclear, Rosenior commented: “Unfortunately Filip picked something up. I’m devastated for him because he’s really impressed me, not just the game at Charlton but how he’s trained. Hopefully Filip can get better really quickly.”

The Chelsea manager also addressed questions about his captain, providing reassurance that James’s condition isn’t a major cause for alarm: “We are playing Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, so we want to make sure Reece is available as much as possible because he’s an outstanding player and a leader in our group.”