Chelsea are set to take on Barcelona on Matchday 5 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, and they will be without star player Cole Palmer for this challenge. Chelsea are hosting Barcelona at Stamford Bridge tonight for Matchday 5 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League in a crucial duel where both teams are eager to keep pace with the group leaders.

Chelsea have provided star midfielder Cole Palmer a custom boot to help him recover from his latest foot injury as quickly as possible, according to reports.

Typically, Chelsea are in action in the Saturday early kick off. And one player already looks to have been ruled out. Getting Cole Palmer back for a cameo after such a long period out was always going to be a gamble, and it looks like he’s not been able to get up to speed in time.

Cole Palmer will be a "huge miss" for Chelsea when they face Barcelona, but they still have the "resources to be competitive" without him, says former forward Gianfranco Zola. Palmer is set to miss the Champions League match at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night with a fractured toe, despite wearing a specially adapted boot to help him in training.