Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior says Cole Palmer’s fitness must be managed carefully on a game-by-game basis following another injury-hit season.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has admitted the club will continue to take a cautious, short-term approach with Cole Palmer’s fitness as the England international battles through an inconsistent and injury-affected campaign.

Palmer has been troubled by a persistent groin issue for several months, limiting his influence and availability for most of the season. The 23-year-old has struggled to build rhythm in games he has started , prompting Chelsea’s medical staff to closely monitor his workload rather than risk aggravating the problem.

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Palmer was restricted to a second-half cameo as Chelsea were eliminated from the EFL Cup following a semi-final defeat to Arsenal as Chelsea continued to limit his appearances. The decision to bench Palmer raised eyebrows, especially as Palmer had completed the full 90 minutes just three days earlier in the dramatic 3-2 comeback win over West Ham.

Rosenior stressed that there is no fixed recovery timeline for the attacking midfielder, highlighting the importance of flexibility. “There isn’t a time frame where he’s suddenly going to be perfect,” Rosenior explained. “It has to be assessed game by game, depending on how his body responds.”

Chelsea’s emphasis on medical oversight has been a growing theme this season, particularly after tensions over squad management contributed to Enzo Maresca’s exit in January. Senior figures at the club have since pushed for greater influence from the medical and sports science departments when it comes to selection decisions.

Despite criticism of Chelsea’s conservative approach in the second leg at the Emirates, Rosenior defended his tactics. Trailing 3-2 on aggregate, the Blues enjoyed long spells of possession but struggled to create clear chances before Kai Havertz sealed the tie late on. Rosenior argued that Chelsea remained competitive against elite opposition for most of the contest.

With a congested fixture list ahead and European qualification still a realistic goal, Rosenior insists protecting key players like Palmer is essential to Chelsea’s long-term ambitions. “External opinions don’t change how we work,” he said. “We’re focused on keeping players fit, competitive, and ready to help us win when it matters most.”