Chelsea news: Cole Palmer replacement named as transfer target 'snubs Man Utd' for Blues

Chelsea are yet to get into gear this season. After winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup last term, there was an expectation that they would kick on in 2025/26.

But they are currently only in sixth place in the Premier League - seven points behind leaders Liverpool already.

Following their disappointing 2-1 defeat to Manchester United last weekend, they returned to winning ways against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. But Enzo Maresca’s side were largely disappointing and had to fight back from a goal down to beat League One opposition.

As the Blues look to deliver a more convincing performance at home against Brighton on Saturday, there are still question marks over the quality of Chelsea’s squad and Maresca’s ability to get the best out of his players.

Now, Mirror Football takes a look at two of the biggest stories surrounding the west London side.

READ MORE: Chelsea dealt major Cole Palmer blow as Enzo Maresca reveals extent of injury

READ MORE: Chelsea news: Summer transfer agreement 'reached' as Blues handed fine

Cole Palmer’s replacement

Maresca has delivered the hugely disappointing news that talismanCole Palmer is set for a spell on the sidelines. Palmer was substituted in the first half of the recent defeat to United, after which he was seen putting ice on his groin on the substitute's bench.

The Blues are expected to be without their talismanic playmaker for around two to three weeks due to the ongoing groin injury, which has disrupted his 2025/26 season.

Maresca said at his press conference on Friday: "We decided to protect Cole a little bit in terms of not letting his injuries get worse. We decided to rest him for the next two or three weeks before the international break to see if he can recover 100% and be fully fit from the international break.

"I don't think he needs surgery. It's a matter of managing his pain in his groin, with the amount of games, it is something that can happen."

Maresca was then asked who would replace the Englishman, before name-dropping Facundo Buonanotte, currently on loan from Brighton until the end of the season, as the player to step up in his place. The head coach said: "Buonanotte can play in that position. But it depends a little bit on the game, the other team and how they defend. It depends."

That could be seen as huge pressure to place on the 20-year-old Argentine, who played his first full 90 minutes in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Lincoln City in midweek. But it may also be a sign of Maresca’s faith in the player, who impressed by scoring the winner and his first goal for the club in that outing. However, the youngster is ineligible to face his parent club Brighton this weekend.

Mike Maignan ‘wants Chelsea move’

Robert Sanchez’s red card against Manchester United and Filip Jorgensen’s poor display against Lincoln City have done little to alleviate concerns over Chelsea’s goalkeeper position. But the Blues are reportedly now eying up a move for Mike Maignan.

France’s first-choice goalkeeper was heavily linked with the west Londoners in the summer transfer window, but Chelsea failed to agree a fee with AC Milan. However, the 30-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the San Siro, meaning he can either be bought for a cut-price in January or signed as a free agent next summer.

TBRreports that, despite United’s interest in Maignan, Chelsea are further along than their Premier League rivals in their negotiations with the shot-stopper, who is considered one of the best in Europe and is said to specifically want a transfer to Stamford Bridge. Whether Chelsea opt to wait until next summer for the experienced goalkeeper or look to sign him in January remains to be seen.

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