John Obi Mikel has reignited the debate over Cole Palmer’s best position, insisting that the Chelsea star is being wasted on the wing and must be deployed exclusively as a Number 10.
Enzo Fernandez’s new central role has seen Cole Palmer operate out wide in Chelsea‘s last two Premier League fixtures.
However, this hasn’t helped Palmer, who is yet to score or assist when playing out wide this season. He’s got all nine goals and five assists when playing centrally.
Another influence on the slight inconsistency has been the fitness issues that Palmer has been suffering from, with a groin issue hampering him all season.
But John Obi Mikel believes it’s the position Liam Rosenior keeps using him in that’s the biggest worry.
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John Obi Mikel tells Liam Rosenior to play Cole Palmer centrally
John Obi Mikel has been strong in his opinion of Liam Rosenior. He claimed that Chelsea hadn’t improved under the Englishman since Enzo Maresca’s departure after dropping points in the Premier League.
Now, speaking on the Obi One podcast,
“Why are you playing Cole Palmer out of his position so many times? I’ve said it here. So many times I’ve hinted it. Cole Palmer is our best player.
“Yes, he’s come back from injury. Yes, he hasn’t hit the, you know, the heights, the standards that we’re accustomed to him playing, the level that we’re accustomed to him playing, the creativity that we know that hecan bring to the squad, the ability that he has.
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“We know he hasn’t hit the heights yet because he’s been in andout, in and out with injuries. He played so many games last season. Of course, in a man, you can expect him to, at some point, break down. He’s only a human being, and that’s what’s happened.
“But he’s come back to the team now. Build a team around Cole Palmer in his best position. In his best position, play Cole Palmer as the number 10, which is where every Chelsea fan, me included, wants to see, because that’s where you get the best out of him. That’s where the first touch that he has, the ability, the creativity that he has, he can affect games playing thatposition as the number 10.”
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