Chelsea players Cole Palmer and Liam Delap have both missed large spells of the season so far due to injuries, but Jason Cundy has made an intriguing prediction about the pair.
It has been a challenging start for Chelsea in the 2025-26 campaign. At the moment, they sit ninth in the Premier League table after nine games. In terms of cup competitions, they have two wins out of three in the Champions League, while they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night for a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
The medical team at Stamford Bridge have been kept busy by multiple injuries in the last few months.
Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer, 23, has only made four appearances across all competitions so far this season, scoring two goals. Apparently, Palmer may return at the end of November from his ongoing groin injury.
As for Liam Delap, he’s only played three matches this term because he’s been out since the end of August with a hamstring problem. The 22-year-old striker has been confirmed as available to face Wolves in midweek, though.
Cole Palmer, Liam Delap and Tosin Adarabioyo inspect the pitch before Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Jason Cundy tips Cole Palmer and Liam Delap to be the difference for Chelsea
According to Jason Cundy, Chelsea are going to be elevated when Palmer and Delap are back on the pitch together.
Cundy told talkSPORT: “We haven’t really seen that link-up between Palmer and Delap enough. They grew up together, playing many games together in the academy at [Manchester] City. We’ve hardly seen it. Getting those two back, especially in tight games, is going to be crucial.”
Remarkably, Palmer and Delap have played just once together in the 2025-26 season. They did at least get to connect at the Club World Cup tournament in the summer.
They do have an existing relationship because they worked together in Manchester City’s academy.
Here is a record of the games that Palmer and Delap have played together during their careers via Transfermarkt:
Matches Teams Points per game Joint goal participation
39 5 2.56 8
Back in June, Palmer shared his excitement to reunite with Delap at Chelsea because the attackers have fantastic chemistry on the football pitch.
If you’re a centre-forward like Delap, then Palmer is the perfect man to play as the attacking midfielder behind you, creating at will with his incredible vision and flair. Like Cundy, we’re excited to see them linking up before the end of 2025.
Cole Palmer celebrates with Liam Delap during Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final.
Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca will be left with Chelsea dilemma
If Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca gets everyone fit at the same time, he’ll have a real headache picking his strongest XI, particularly in the forward areas.
Of course, Palmer is the first name on the team sheet when he’s available, whether that’s as a number 10 or a right-winger. Meanwhile, Delap will hope to prove he can be the answer to the club’s issue in the striker position.
Joao Pedro, who’s been playing with an injury knock, is another Chelsea attacker right in the mix as a main starter as well. The most intriguing thing about the 24-year-old versatile star is he can operate as a number 10 or a number nine.
It could be a challenge trying to fit the same trio in the system.