Chelsea Star Cole Palmer Ruled Out West Ham Clash After Warm-Up Injury

Chelsea's key player Cole Palmer was withdrawn from the starting lineup for the match against West Ham due to an injury sustained during the warm-up. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer "felt something" and was removed as a precaution, resulting in the 18-year-old Brazilian talent Estevao making his Premier League debut as his replacement. Footage showed Palmer leaving the pitch early and sitting on the bench looking dejected before kickoff, sparking concerns about the severity of the injury. Pundit Jamie Redknapp highlighted Palmer's importance by calling him Chelsea's best player and talisman, noting that his absence is a significant advantage for West Ham. The decision to protect Palmer comes amid ongoing injury issues within the Chelsea squad, including another key player sidelined with an ACL injury. Chelsea and West Ham kicked off the match with Palmer unavailable, and updates on his condition are awaited.