Cole Palmer “not there yet physically” but determined: I’ll get over the injuries

Chelsea maintained a perfect Premier League start under Liam Rosenior thanks to Cole Palmer’s hat-trick but the Englishman admits injury headache

Cole Palmer pulled off a devastating first-half performance at Molineux that carried Chelsea to another Premier League win and reinforced his status as the team’s attacking reference point.

Three goals before the interval against Wolverhampton Wanderers left little room for response and extended Chelsea’s momentum under Liam Rosenior.

“As long as I can keep scoring hat-tricks, I’m happy,” Palmer said after the game.

The hat-trick carried historical significance as well as immediate impact. Palmer has now scored more Premier League hat-tricks for Chelsea than any other player, moving ahead of club greats Frank Lampard, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Didier Drogba.

He also stands alone as the only player in the Premier League era to score three first-half hat-tricks, a statistic that reflects his ability to dominate matches early.

“It feels good to get back on the scoresheet,” Pamer noted. “Still not there yet physically, with little niggles and injury and stuff, but I’m sure working closely with the medical staff and whatnot, I’ll overcome the injuries and show my level again.”

Rosenior admits uncertainty over the availability of Reece James and Pedro Neto.

The Chelsea manager did, however, assure that Cole Palmer and Estevao could play 90 minutes.https://t.co/tO4i8xALEm #FPL #WWFC #CFC #GW25

— BBSportNews (@thebbsportnews) February 6, 2026

Palmer opens up on managing injury challenges

The performance carried additional weight given Palmer’s admission that this season has tested him physically and mentally. He has been playing through a groin problem, something he described as a new experience in his career.

“I’ve never been injured before in my career,” he noted. “This is something new to me and I’m still finding out how to deal with it.

“It has been frustrating, I don’t feel like I’ve played a game this season fully fit. I’ve been going into games thinking can I do certain things, can I not? Overthinking it. I’m not here to make excuses and I’ll get over the injuries. I know what I can do when I’m fit and hopefully I can get back to that soon. For now I just manage it and get there.”

Palmer has taken his tally to seven goals in 14 league games, with Chelsea currently sitting fifth in the table, just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United. Set to host Leeds on Tuesday, the Blues will look to climb up the standings in their bid to secure Champions League qualification.