Liam Rosenior Drops Bombshell Revelation About Cole Palmer and Reece James Injury Fears
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has emphasized the need for caution regarding the fitness of Cole Palmer and Reece James following Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal.
James was reportedly experiencing "excessive discomfort" to participate after sustaining a minor injury, while Palmer was unexpectedly limited to only 30 minutes as a substitute as he works to regain full fitness after a groin problem.
"They're committed completely," Rosenior emphasized following the match, which concluded with a narrow 1–0 loss.
"Regarding Cole, he delivered an outstanding 90-minute display that helped us mount a comeback against West Ham. We must protect him. He's invaluable. We need to safeguard him and ensure he's available throughout the entire campaign."
What Injuries Do Palmer, James Have?
What Injuries Do Palmer, James Have?
Currently, neither Palmer nor James are believed to be dealing with anything particularly serious individually.
As Rosenior explained, James sustained a knock before the match, while Palmer's restricted involvement is considered part of his continued recovery from a groin issue that kept him out for almost three months earlier this campaign.
The duration of Palmer's initial layoff remains the primary worry. Since first getting injured during the warm-up before Chelsea's second match of the season, he has consistently found it difficult to completely overcome the injury's effects, and it's undeniable that he hasn't lived up to the high standards fans expected this season.
Whether it's simply match sharpness or something more serious, it's evident that Palmer isn't operating at full capacity. Regular game time might be the only solution to restore his rhythm, but it's also the quickest way to worsen the injury and force another lengthy absence.
Previous manager Enzo Maresca dealt with this challenge, and Rosenior is now experiencing the complexities of managing his arguably most talented player's condition.
James, conversely, is a worry not due to any recent setback, but because of his extensive history with fitness problems.
To both James and Chelsea's medical team's credit, the Blues skipper has seen a remarkable improvement in his availability. This season, he has accumulated over 1,500 Premier League minutes, having fallen short of that mark in each of the previous three seasons. It's also the first time since 2021–22 that James has reached 20 appearances in the league.
James is such a crucial asset for Chelsea that the Blues simply cannot risk a setback. One misstep—potentially as minor as adjusting his running technique to manage discomfort from a routine knock—could have severe implications for a player who seems to finally be overcoming his physical struggles.
When Will Chelsea Pair Return?
When Will Chelsea Pair Return?
Theoretically, both Palmer and James should be healthy enough to return to Rosenior's first team, potentially starting with Saturday's away fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Whether they actually feature, though, will depend on discussions between Rosenior, Chelsea's medical personnel and both players.
Rosenior might view the match against Wolves, currently bottom of the Premier League table, as the type of fixture Chelsea should win even without two of their key stars. It's possible he could choose to rest both Palmer and James before facing Leeds United three days afterward.
Theoretically, the Leeds fixture appears more challenging. Daniel Farke's squad may be 16th currently, but they're an improving team who defeated Chelsea 3–1 as recently as December 2025. Rosenior will maintain that every match carries equal weight, but the visit from the Yorkshire club will certainly take precedence.
Following that encounter, a clash with Hull City, Rosenior's previous club, in the FA Cup should offer another chance for Palmer and James to recuperate before a demanding March period featuring matches against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and both Champions League round of 16 legs—the Magpies are among four potential opponents along with Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Qarabağ.