Palmer withdraws from Chelsea lineup

Palmer was a late withdrawal from Chelsea starting XI in the win at West Ham and Maresca provided an update on the groin issue.

Maresca updates on Palmer groin after West Ham win

Chelsea named Cole Palmer in the starting lineup for the match at the London Stadium, but he left the warm up early and Estevao Willian came on. Chelsea won at West Ham, and the late change did not derail the performance.

After the game, Maresca described Palmer as not being one hundred percent in the days leading up to the match and said today he tried in the warm up but felt something, so the decision was made to avoid a bigger problem. He called the issue a groin problem and said the club will monitor the situation in the hours ahead to determine the next steps.

Injuries are shaping Chelsea's early season story. The choice to withdraw Palmer rather than risk a longer layoff signals a cautious medical approach and a reliance on squad depth. How Maresca manages rotation and medical risk will be tested again soon as the fixture calendar tightens.

From a broader view, this episode highlights the pressure on players to push through discomfort for the club and the need for clear, timely updates for fans. If the injury proves minor, it could ease fears about the squad; if it lingers, it may force sharper selection choices and influence plans for upcoming league and cup games.

Highlights

Updates will set the tone for Chelsea’s lineup in forthcoming fixtures