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Chelsea Football Newsletter
Chelsea have been hit with a shock Cole Palmer injury blow minutes ahead of kick-off against West Ham.
Palmer left the pre-match warm-up a number of minutes earlier than the rest of the Chelsea team and was seen walking to the dressing room with a member of the club’s medical team.
Young Brazilian Estevao quickly replaced Palmer to make his first start for the club after his debut off the bench against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca told Sky Sports that Palmer “felt something” and his withdrawal was “precautionary to avoid taking any unnecessary risks.”
The absence of Palmer is a significant concern for the Blues, who are in need of a first win of the season after that disappointing goalless draw at home to Palace.
Estevao now lines up in an attack also featuring Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto as the Blues seek to beat a West Ham team defeated 3-0 at Sunderland on the opening weekend.
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Palmer was a pivotal figure for Chelsea last season and helped them win the Club World Cup with victory over European champions Paris Saint-Germain last month.