Cole Palmer failed to score in Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League last weekend.
Palmer was on fire in the Club World Cup final, netting twice as Chelsea went on to beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0.
However, neither the attacking midfielder nor Joao Pedro, who also scored against PSG, could make an impact in the Blues’ Premier League opener.
Former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle thinks Palmer had a quiet game, while ex-Southampton and Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin has questioned his recent form overall.
Charlie Austin of Brisbane Roar speaks on stage
Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Charlie Austin alarmed by Cole Palmer’s record of one league goal from open play in 17 games at Chelsea
Palmer’s blank against Palace at Stamford Bridge means he has not scored a goal from open play in the Premier League since January.
It is a statistic that Austin, who has been speaking about the 23-year-old on Sky Sports, finds “alarming”.
Discussing Chelsea following their 0-0 draw with Palace, the Basingstoke Town forward said: “They’ve signed Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, but it’s just they’re missing that spark. And when I say missing that spark, it’s an easy one.
“They’re missing Cole Palmer hitting the heights we all know he has been over the years. And I think even like the stats, the last 17 games he hasn’t scored from open play. I think that’s quite alarming in itself.”
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Chelsea’s attack as a whole disappointed against Palace. Much was also expected of Pedro after his impact in pre-season and at the Club World Cup.
However, the Brazilian did not really threaten Dean Henderson’s goal before being substituted in the 73rd minute.
Gary Neville discussed Pedro and Liam Delap after the game, suggesting that they are not on the same level as Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal’s attackers.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Cole Palmer’s last goal from open play in the Premier League
Palmer netted in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at the Bridge in January. Since then, his only goal in the Premier League has come against Liverpool, which was a penalty.
Cole Palmer’s last 17 Premier League games Goals Assists
Crystal Palace 0 0
Nottingham Forest 0 0
Manchester United 0 0
Newcastle United 0 0
Liverpool 1 0
Everton 0 0
Fulham 0 0
Ipswich Town 0 1
Brentford 0 0
Tottenham Hotspur 0 1
Leicester City 0 0
Southampton 0 0
Aston Villa 0 0
Brighton & Hove Albion 0 0
West Ham United 0 1
Manchester City 0 0
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 0
Total 1 3
Via Transfermarkt
Austin and others are right to be concerned, but it is easy to forget that Palmer is still a young player. He only turned 23 in May so some inconsistency is understandable.
With it being a new season now, hopefully the England international can step up again and show more consistency this time around.
Pat Nevin has also been talking about Palmer and has backed him to win the Premier League Player of the Season award. If he can find his finishing boots again, it is not impossible.