Chelsea dealt major injury blow as Cole Palmer drops out of starting XI to face West Ham after limping out of pre-match warm-up

Palmer was all set to start for Maresca's Chelsea against West Ham at London Stadium; however, it was spotted during the pre-match warm-ups that the England international had to be taken off. The Blues have now confirmed Palmer will miss the clash with new signing Estevao starting in place of the talisman.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game at London Stadium, Maresca said: "Cole [Palmer] felt something during the warm-up. So we took him out of the team as a precaution."

It is still uncertain as to what caused Palmer's injury during the warm-up, as Maresca remained coy about the England international's injury. However, it is certain that Palmer will only undergo tests, if necessary, after the game, as he was spotted on the Chelsea bench during the first half of the clash.

World champions Chelsea wanted to come out of the blocks all guns blazing against West Ham at London Stadium after their rather dull Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. While it seemed that Palmer's absence would take the sting out of the Blues, it has not been the case through the first half as Maresca's side rallied from one goal behind to take a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.