Gary Lineker reveals he had ‘exact same injury’ as Chelsea’s Cole Palmer
Gary Lineker has revealed he had ‘exactly the same injury’ as Chelsea star Cole Palmer.
Palmer is widely regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world.
But a niggling groin injury has limited his minutes on the pitch this campaign, as he has started just 12 league matches.
Palmer struck thrice for Chelsea in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, becoming the first player in Premier League history to bag three first-half hat-tricks.
Former England striker Lineker has sympathy with Palmer’s situation as he revealed he also had the same injury during his career.
He said on The Rest Is Football podcast: “It was exactly the same as Cole Palmer’s one, it was niggly and I never trained, and that’s why people used to say he never trains, he just has a bath every day.
“There was a reason for that. I was struggling. It never stopped me from playing, I could always play through it, but the niggle was there all of the time.
“It wasn’t really until I had a break after the World Cup that it went away.
“It’s a weird one, because it niggles you, once you play, you’re alright, but you can do something, and it stiffens up. It sounds like Cole is going through the same thing.”
Palmer came to Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023 in a deal worth around £40 million.
He enjoyed a breakout debut campaign, scoring 27 goals and 15 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
Palmer also posted impressive numbers last season, but a groin issue has limited his impact in 2025-26.
He was at the top of his game against Wolves, scoring twice from the penalty spot before driving in a third to wrap up a brilliant hat-trick.
The 23-year-old’s latest display has put him firmly in the England squad conversation for the 2026 World Cup.
But the challenge for him is to remain fit and continue his impressive form to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Stats from Transfermarkt