Cole Palmer suffered an injury during the warm-up ahead of Chelsea's trip to West Ham with the playmaker being forced out of the starting XI as a result.
The England international had been named in the team to face the Hammers at the London Stadium but moved gingerly on the pitch just minutes before kick-off.
Sky Sports picked up the moment Palmer left the pitch before his team-mates alongside a coach.
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Cole Palmer suffered an injury in the warm-up prior to Chelsea's match against West Ham
|Sky Sports
The former Manchester City star looked glum and it was remarked that he had potentially picked up an injury.
And Chelsea fans (and FPL managers) had their worst fears confirmed when it emerged that Enzo Maresca had replaced him from the line-up.
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Young Brazilian star Estevao Willian was picked in his place instead while Palmer's absence will come as a huge blow to Chelsea.
The Blues are already reeling from the news that Levi Colwill will miss the majority of the season after rupturing his ACL days before their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace.
Palmer is arguably Chelsea's most important player and has been a revelation since his £40million move from City in 2023.
Since making the move from the Etihad to Stamford Bridge, Palmer has scored 43 times in 98 appearances.
It remains to be seen the extent of Palmer's injury but with days left in the transfer window, it might affect the club's decisions before the end of the month.
RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons has been strongly linked with a move to west London and those talks might be accelerated in light of Palmer's injury.
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Cole Palmer leaving the warm-up early 🤔 pic.twitter.com/nJRGKdjaiE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 22, 2025
Cameras later picked up Palmer looking down on the Chelsea bench wearing a big coat while Maresca's side got off to a shoddy start.
Just six minutes into the match, Lucas Paqueta nailed in a screamer from distance after Chelsea defenders backed off.
Robert Sanchez might not want to look back at the goal, though, as he flapped casually at the ball as it dipped past him.
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