Cole Palmer injury domino effect explained as Xavi Simons Chelsea transfer reality revealed

Chelsea face an anxious wait to find out the extent of Cole Palmer's groin injury (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA)

Chelsea are waiting to discover the extent of Cole Palmer's groin injury after the 22-year-old limped off during the warm-up prior to the win against West Ham United on Friday night.

Palmer was due to start at the London Stadium but felt pain in his groin as he and his teammates prepared for the game. In came Estevao Willian as a last minute change, with Joao Pedro occupying the No.10 role in place of Palmer, who watched on from the bench in east London.

The Blues did not need him on the night - with the visitors putting in a commanding performance in a 5-1 victory. However, losing their new No.10 for a while would be terrible and concerning news - and could have a domino effect on a few things at the club.

As we all know by now, Chelsea are working on a deal to sign Xavi Simons . Club-to-club talks with RB Leipzig have been underway for over a month now, with the Blues wishing to sell Christopher Nkunku before they push forward with a deal for Simons . Ironically, Leipzig and Chelsea have been holding separate talks over the signing of Nkunku in recent weeks.

Chelsea are short in the No.10 department right now, especially if Palmer is ruled out of action. Joao Pedro played there on Friday evening, but moving him into a deeper role means there is one less option at striker - meaning Liam Delap is the only No.9 available to Enzo Maresca .

Nicolas Jackson is expected to leave with talks over a move to Bayern Munich well underway. The 24-year-old is said to favour a switch to the German champions, though there is no agreement in place between the two clubs yet. With Jackson currently not with the first team squad on matchdays, and that he is expected to leave, moving Joao Pedro down to No.10 leaves Maresca with just Delap.

Regardless of whether Palmer's injury is serious or not, Chelsea require cover for the England international. They see Simons as just that and it makes it even more imperative that they get this deal - that they have been working on for well over a month - over the line.

Multiple people on the inside of negotiations still believe that will be the case. Simons has his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge and is understood to have turned down approaches from both Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

If Chelsea can bring in Simons and Alejandro Garnacho , who they are confident about signing , then the Blues will have at least two options in all of the attacking positions. See below:

Striker: Liam Delap, Joao Pedro (assuming Jackson is sold)

No.10: Xavi Simons, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro (assuming Nkunku is sold)

Right wing: Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian

Left wing: Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Tyrique George (although he could depart)