Chelsea picked up yet another red card on Wednesday night after Marc Cucurella was sent off against Fulham.
It was Chelsea’s fifth dismissal in the Premier League this season, with new manager Liam Rosenior present at Craven Cottage to witness it.
Rosenior’s message to Chelsea’s squad before the game was that he joined the club to win.
That is going to be difficult if the Blues keep getting players sent off, but that is not the only thing Rosenior should be concerned about.
Fulham v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Cole Palmer’s mixed performance and form a major concern
Cole Palmer and the rest of Chelsea’s attack were not helped by Cucurella’s red card, but even before his teammate’s sending off, the 23-year-old was still having a difficult time.
In the second half, Palmer did pick up and helped Chelsea to create some attacking opportunities before he was eventually subbed off.
Ultimately, it was a very mixed performance that Rosenior could probably overlook had his overall form been better.
What does Liam Rosenior have to do to get the best out of Cole Palmer?
A very mixed performance against Fulham…
Cole Palmer’s Premier League stats this season:
11 appearances
3 goals
0 assists
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior signing contract and Cole Palmer during game
Credit: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Visionhaus via Getty Images
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However, since returning from injury, Palmer has not been making the kind of impact that Chelsea fans are used to seeing.
In the eight Premier League games that the attacking midfielder has played following his comeback, he has scored just two goals while failing to record a single assist.
There has been a lot of talk about Palmer following Enzo Maresca’s exit last week. It has been claimed that Maresca is furious after claims that he was willing to put Palmer’s fitness at risk by playing him when advised not to by Chelsea’s medical staff.
Fulham v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Liam Rosenior can’t ignore Chelsea’s ill-discipline either
Palmer is Chelsea’s best player who wins them matches. If the Blues are to have a successful season, they need him at the top of his game.
Considering that, the England international’s inconsistency and overall form right now has to be the first thing that Rosenior addresses.
With that being said, the former Strasbourg boss cannot forget about Chelsea’s disciplinary record either. It is a real problem right now after yet another red card.
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