The Blues head coach confirmed at his press conference ahead of our clash with Nottingham Forest that Palmer will be out for longer than initially expected, with the timeframe put on his return meaning we likely won’t see the 23-year-old in action until December.

With every midweek until then occupied, Maresca acknowledged Palmer will be a big miss. However, the victories over Benfica and Liverpool showed what can be done in the England international's absence.

‘Cole is a very important player, one of the best players in the Premier League, so to replace that kind of player is difficult,’ explained Maresca.

‘Of the ones we have, it depends on the game plan. Against Liverpool, it was Malo Gusto in Cole’s position. The previous game against Benfica, it was Facundo [Buonanotte]. So it depends.

‘For sure, we need to find a different solution, different skills, because we don’t have another player like Cole. He is unique.’

Of the elements of Palmer’s game we will miss, his creativity stands out. Add in the long-term unavailability of Levi Colwill and Maresca knows there is work to be done when it comes to penetrating the opposition.

‘We have lost the two players that last season were main players in terms of build-up and breaking lines,’ Maresca pointed out.

‘Levi was the main one from behind, Cole was the main one in the middle of the pitch, but we are trying to find different solutions with the players who are available.’