Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro injury update after missing Brighton vs Chelsea

Apr 21, 2026 - 20:00

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Cole Palmer of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Izzy Poles - AMA/Getty Images) — Cole Palmer is sidelined with a hamstring injury (Getty)

Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro have missed Chelsea’s Premier League game away to Brighton on Tuesday night due to injury.

Pedro was ruled out of Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United on Saturday due to a thigh problem.

Palmer, meanwhile, played a full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge as Matheus Cunha’s first-half goal handed Chelsea their fourth consecutive defeat in the Premier League.

But for Chelsea’s trip to Brighton, both Palmer and Pedro have not been named in Liam Rosenior’s squad.

Rosenior believes Pedro will be able to return for Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United this Sunday, but is unsure over the availability of Palmer for his side’s game at Wembley.

Speaking before kick-off at the Amex Stadium, Rosenior said: ‘Cole’s had some tightness in his hamstring so he’s going to be out for this game and see how he moves on for this FA Cup semi-final.

‘Joao Pedro will be good for Sunday but this game is too close for him.’

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Chelsea v Leeds United - Premier League — Joao Pedro remains out with a thigh injury (Getty)

Estevao is also sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury in the first half of Chelsea’s defeat to United last weekend.

‘With Estevao it’s a blow and with Joao and Cole,’ Rosenior said.

‘But we still have some outstanding players in the team. Enzo can create and score goals and has done so all season.

‘Pedro Neto as well and Liam Delap was close on Saturday to scoring his first goal. We have to make sure it’s a strong team performance today.

Brighton vs Chelsea confirmed line-ups

Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Baleba, Hinshelwood, Gross; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma

Subs: Steele, Igor, Dunk, Welbeck, Kostoulas, Ayari, De Cuyper, O’Riley, Veltman

Chelsea: Sanchez; Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Gusto, Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo, Hato; Neto, Delap

Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Garnacho, Derry, Guiu

‘We have a way that we want to play with and without the ball. Our principles don’t change with or without the ball. There were a lot of good things against Manchester United, we have to be better in both boxes.

‘We have to come here and win this game. The mindset has to be as good as possible.

‘Brighton are a very good team, high pressing and high energy. Two outstanding wingers but we have our own strengths and we want to take the game to them.’

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