Chelsea’s emphatic 5–1 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on August 22 carried an unexpected subplot, as star playmaker Cole Palmer was dramatically withdrawn from the starting XI minutes before kick-off.
Palmer’s Last-Minute Withdrawal
Palmer, who has been central to Chelsea’s resurgence under Enzo Maresca, felt discomfort during the warm-up and was immediately taken out of the lineup as a precaution. Sources close to the squad revealed that he had not been fully fit in recent days, prompting the decision to avoid aggravating a potential injury.
In his place, 18-year-old Estevão Willian—nicknamed “Messinho”—was handed his first Premier League start.
Youngster Steps Up
Despite a nervy opening moment that nearly gifted West Ham an early chance, Estevão quickly found his rhythm. The Brazilian teenager marked the occasion with a superb assist, becoming the youngest player in Premier League history to record an assist at just 18 years and 120 days.
Chelsea’s attacking display overwhelmed the Hammers, with goals from João Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, and Trevoh Chalobah sealing a statement win.
Legal Battle Off the Pitch
Away from football, Palmer also made headlines for a different reason. The England international has filed to trademark his nickname “Cold” and his signature shivering goal celebration, aiming to launch branded products from cologne to footwear.
However, the move has faced opposition from Château Palmer, a historic French winery, who claim the application could cause confusion with their brand. The legal battle is now before the UK Intellectual Property Office.
What This Means for Chelsea
While Palmer’s withdrawal raised initial concerns, early reports suggest the move was precautionary rather than a serious setback. With Chelsea’s depth showing promise—particularly Estevão’s emergence—Maresca may now have more options than expected in his frontline.