Cole Palmer is absent from Chelsea’s Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Cardiff tonight.
Palmer started, played almost an hour and scored Chelsea’s opener in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League.
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However, manager Enzo Maresca is following the advice of the club’s medical staff and said in Monday’s press conference that Palmer cannot yet play twice in three days as he eases his way back from a persistent groin injury and fractured toe.
Palmer’s absence is one of a number of changes Maresca makes to his team for his side’s trip to Wales to face the League One leaders.
Moises Caicedo is back in midfield following a three-game domestic suspension for his red card against Arsenal.
But Maresca has opted to select a number of his squad players ahead of this weekend’s league game at Newcastle, which is Chelsea’s final match before Christmas.
There is a rare appearance for Facundo Buonanotte, on loan from Brighton, who has not played since a 20-minute cameo in the Champions League draw with Qarabag over a month ago.
Jorrel Hato, Benoit Badiashile, Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George are all short of minutes of late so all start. Marc Guiu is up front, while goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen deputises with Robert Sanchez rested for Newcastle.
Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, Levi Colwill and Liam Delap are sidelined with injuries so, like Palmer, are not involved.
Marc Cucurella is suspended following a booking in both of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup games this season.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Hato, Andrey Santos, Caicedo, George, Buonanotte, Gittens, Guiu
Subs: Sanchez, Gusto, James, Chalobah, Fofana, Fernandez, Garnacho, Neto, Joao Pedro
Out: Palmer
Injured: Delap, Essugo, Lavia, Colwill
Suspended: Cucurella
Date and time: 8pm GMT today, Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports
