Why Is Cole Palmer Not Playing Today for Chelsea vs Leeds United?

Chelsea will play Leeds United at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup semifinal. The winner will play Manchester City in the FA Cup Final next month.

Interim manager Calum McFarlane will coach Chelsea following the departure of their previous manager, Liam Rosenior, who was sacked after Chelsea lost 3-0 to Brighton in the Premier League.

Calum McFarlane has announced his starting lineup against Leeds United today, which includes the return of Joao Pedro, who missed the last two games due to injury, but it does not include Cole Palmer.

Palmer last played for Chelsea against Manchester United last weekend in the Premier League but missed the previous game against Brighton.

Palmer missed the previous match as he suffered a slight hamstring injury, according to former Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior. Palmer returned to training ahead of the Leeds United match today, but the decision to bench him left some fans surprised.

Calum McFarlane on Cole Palmer

Ahead of the Leeds United game in the FA Cup semifinal, interim manager Calum McFarlane praised Cole Palmer as the key figure to the team for important games like today.

McFarlane said, "Cole's a top talent. Cole can decide games at the highest level; he's done that already in his very short career. And he's super talented, so it's pretty much about getting Cole in the right position and giving him the right amount of quality so that he can decide games of football, whether that be with his finishing, his final pass, or his creativity, whatever that may be."

Palmer is reportedly still not 100% fit, as Joao Pedro returned to the starting lineup after an injury.

Our XI to face Leeds United. #CFC | #EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/uA4hzCzdVT

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 26, 2026

During the pre-match press conference, McFarlane said, "Joao (Pedro) and Cole (Palmer), they trained, they're in a good place. We don't know yet, we'll have a look at them and make a call on that. They're going to train tomorrow, so we are hopeful."

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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 8:23 AM.