Cole Palmer Absence Fuels Transfer Rumors After Chelsea Win

Chelsea fans breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday night as their team edged past Pafos 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League, but all eyes quickly turned to the absence of Cole Palmer from the matchday squad and what his future might hold. The Londoners, under the guidance of Liam Rosenior, are chasing a top-eight finish in the league phase, and the narrow win—secured by a late Moises Caicedo strike—was another step toward the coveted Round of 16. Yet, the post-match conversation was dominated by Palmer’s fitness, his importance to the squad, and swirling rumors about his long-term commitment to Chelsea.

Palmer’s omission from the Champions League clash was a talking point even before kickoff. Rosenior, addressing the press after the final whistle, was quick to clarify: “Precautionary. He felt something really, really minor in the game against Brentford. Actually, quite early in the game. So, credit to him to keep going through it. But I don't want to risk any players at this stage, especially players of Cole's quality. He's got a really good chance to be involved and start the game on Sunday. And we'll keep preparing him for that.”

That minor thigh complaint, picked up as Palmer played a full 90 minutes and scored a penalty in the 2-0 win over Brentford on January 18, 2026, was enough for Rosenior to err on the side of caution. Chelsea’s medical staff have been particularly careful with Palmer this season, following a string of injuries that have limited his availability. Notably, a groin injury sidelined him from September to December 2025, and a broken toe further delayed his return. The club’s new head coach made it clear: “It would be crazy for me to risk any player in this phase of the season.”

Palmer’s absence was felt on the pitch. While Chelsea’s squad boasts plenty of young attacking talent, there’s a noticeable dip in creativity and firepower when the 23-year-old isn’t at his best. His five goals in thirteen appearances this season—two from the penalty spot—underscore his importance. As Rosenior put it, “If you watch the last 15 minutes of the game and you watch the energy he puts into his press, his running for the team, I thought he was outstanding.”

But it’s not just injuries and load management that have put Palmer in the headlines. Multiple reports have emerged suggesting that the England international is unsettled at Stamford Bridge. The Sun claims Palmer is “not particularly enjoying life down south,” missing friends and familiar surroundings in Manchester. Sky Sports echoed these sentiments, reporting that Palmer could be “willing to return” to Manchester, despite his contract running until the end of the 2033 season. The speculation is further fueled by the managerial merry-go-round at both Manchester clubs. Should Pep Guardiola depart Manchester City and be replaced by Enzo Maresca—a former Chelsea boss—Palmer’s return to the Etihad could be on the cards. Meanwhile, Manchester United, the club Palmer supported as a boy, have also been linked, particularly if Mauricio Pochettino is appointed manager.

Rene Meulensteen, a former United coach, weighed in: “Could Mauricio Pochettino convince Cole Palmer to come to Manchester United? Only if Chelsea would be willing to let him go. Palmer is a fantastic player and I think he would suit Manchester United really well and the way they should be playing because he is a difference maker. That’s always what you want. Palmer was a boyhood United fan and it’s actually too strange for words that United never picked up on it and made sure that they sounded him out about his plans if he ever were to leave City. It’s very strange that it never happened, in my opinion.”

Despite the noise, Chelsea’s stance appears firm. Palmer signed a long-term contract extension in August 2024, committing to the club until June 2033. There is no known release clause, and journalist Ben Jacobs reported in February 2025 that neither Palmer nor any other Chelsea player has a clause allowing them to leave for a set fee if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League. That’s a significant safeguard for the Blues, who invested heavily to bring Palmer from Manchester City in September 2023 for an initial £40 million (about $50.6 million), potentially rising to £42.5 million ($53.9 million) with add-ons.

The game against Pafos also saw Rosenior making other personnel decisions with an eye on the packed fixture list. Captain Reece James, who started in midfield alongside Caicedo, was substituted at half-time. Rosenior explained, “Yeah, minutes. And making sure that he's prepared for we're playing Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday. I want to make sure Reece is available as much as possible because he's an outstanding player and he's a leader in our group.” The approach is all about keeping key players fresh and available for the business end of the season.

Unfortunately, not all the news was positive. Backup goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen was forced off at half-time due to injury. Rosenior commented, “Yeah, unfortunately, he picked something up. Devastating for him because he's really impressed me in his time. Hopefully Filip can get better really, really quick.” Rob Sanchez stepped in and made a crucial intervention late on to preserve Chelsea’s slim lead.

Looking ahead, Chelsea face a trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday, January 25, 2026, before traveling to Italy to take on Napoli in the final league phase match of the Champions League. Palmer is expected to be fit and ready to play a key role, and Rosenior’s careful management of his minutes could prove decisive as the club juggles ambitions on multiple fronts.

For now, the Palmer saga is a microcosm of Chelsea’s season: flashes of brilliance, moments of adversity, and a constant balancing act between short-term results and long-term planning. Whether Palmer remains the centerpiece of Rosenior’s project or becomes the subject of a blockbuster transfer remains to be seen. One thing is certain—his next move, on or off the pitch, will be watched closely by fans and rivals alike.

As the Blues prepare for their next challenge, the question on everyone’s lips is whether Palmer’s commitment to Chelsea will be matched by the club’s ability to keep him happy and healthy. The coming weeks could provide the answers, but for now, Chelsea’s campaign—and Palmer’s future—hang in the balance.