Chelsea injury news and return dates after Man Utd loss as Cole Palmer latest revealed

Chelsea's trip to Manchester United ended in disappointment as they suffered a loss at Old Trafford on Saturday night, with manager Enzo Maresca forced to make some unexpected changes.

The Italian boss made Premier League history by making three substitutions within the first 20 minutes of the match. This was partly due to Robert Sanchez being sent off within the first five minutes, which necessitated two alterations. Estevao and Pedro Neto were both replaced by goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and Tosin Adarabioyo.

However, Cole Palmer was also then taken off, and he didn't seem too pleased about it, heading straight down the tunnel. He was later spotted with an ice pack on his groin.

READ MORE: Man Utd player ratings in win over Chelsea as 5/10 star goes from hero to zero

READ MORE: Cole Palmer walks straight down tunnel after being taken off just 20 minutes into Man Utd clash

Palmer had only recently returned from injury, having scored in consecutive league and European games, but he couldn't overcome the pain in Manchester.

Wesley Fofana requested to be substituted in the second half, but according to the Blues boss, this was merely due to fatigue.

Despite the depth of his squad - highlighted by the fact that Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens were left on the bench on Saturday - Maresca will not want to lose any more key players to injury.

The defeat to Manchester United marked Chelsea's first league loss of the season, and they'll be eager to bounce back quickly. In light of this, Mirror Football has provided an update on the latest Chelsea injury news following another frustrating visit to Old Trafford....

Cole Palmer

Injury: Groin

He's been gradually reintroduced but managed just twenty minutes in Manchester. The Chelsea manager revealed that the playmaker was keen to test whether he could cope with the match's intensity, but indicated to the touchline that a substitution was required.

What Maresca has said: "Cole tried this morning, he had a test this morning to play this game, he was not 100 per cent fit, he made a fantastic effort to play this game, but he was not 100 per cent."

The Italian also added: "He did this morning a test, he wanted to play this game for the team, to be close, so the effort has been huge from him, but then after 20 minutes he started to feel something, so we decided to change him."

Potential return date: Lincoln (A) - Tuesday, September 23.

Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia

Injury: Muscle issues (unspecified)

He's been absent from the season's opening but Badiashile returned to Chelsea training earlier this week. Romeo Lavia has also been spotted in training sessions and the Blues manager has discussed their circumstances with both potentially available to feature next weekend, though more likely after the upcoming international break.

What Maresca has said: "Romeo and Benoit, I don't think they will be back after the international break, but they will be closer."

Potential return date: Brighton (H) - Saturday, September 27.

Liam Delap

Injury: Hamstring

The summer recruit picked up a hamstring problem during the 2-0 victory over Fulham earlier this month. Warning signs immediately emerged and the former Ipswich forward is expected to remain sidelined until December 2025.

Maresca has revealed: "Liam is around 10-12 weeks, so a long way to go."

Potential return date: December 2025.

Dario Essugo

Injury: Thigh

Essugo, who sustained a thigh injury while on international duty with Portugal, has had surgery and is set to be sidelined for several months.

Potential return date: Early 2026.

Levi Colwill

Injury: Knee

After suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, Colwill is anticipated to miss most of the 2025/26 season.

Potential return date: Unknown.

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