Things couldn’t have gone much better for Cole Palmer in his first two seasons as a Chelsea player. With that comes huge expectations on his shoulders, though.
Cole Palmer, 23, quickly established himself as the talisman for the Chelsea squad after joining them nearly two years ago from Manchester City.
In his first two campaigns with the Blues, the attacking midfielder scored 43 goals and created 29 assists in 97 appearances across all competitions. His individual performances and influence have been outstanding.
Like the rest of his teammates, Palmer struggled in Chelsea’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace last weekend in their Premier League opener. Glenn Hoddle even criticised Palmer for having very little influence in the first league fixture of the new season.
The bar is set extremely highly for the talented England international that it surprises people when he fails to make his mark on a contest.
Cole Palmer during Chelsea against Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Craig Burley warns Cole Palmer he’s under new pressure at Chelsea to deliver
According to ESPN pundit Craig Burley, Palmer’s starting position could be under threat “for the first time” at Chelsea.
Even though he’s confident that the 23-year-old playmaker will continue to be a star man at Stamford Bridge, he’s warned him that he can’t afford to go off the boil because the manager could easily drop Joao Pedro deeper into a No.10 role.
“It could be a big season for Cole Palmer, who has at times been brilliant and scintillating. But for the first time in that position, they have an ability to rotate because Joao Pedro can play in that role. Now that Liam Delap is there, a different type of player – you saw when he came on how physical he is and how he will run the channels – it’s a different dynamic.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
“In some sense I think that is going to put a bit of pressure on Cole Palmer to step up again. Because if he’s not, Maresca, there can be no sentiment; he’ll have to make a change in that key area in that No.10 role. He has got a player now in Joao Pedro, who did that many, many times at Brighton.
“I’m expecting Palmer to have a big season, but if he drops off a little bit and he’s not dictating games like he did last year at times, he does have the option to either move him or leave him out the team now that he’s signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.”
In fairness, Palmer has kept Christopher Nkunku at arm’s length to hold down the No.10 spot at Chelsea in the last year. Unless something drastic changes, we can’t imagine Enzo Maresca’s strongest XI without him in it.
It is worth highlighting that Palmer is on a worrying record, scoring one goal from open play in his last 17 Premier League matches. Therefore, it’s right that questions are asked of him because no individual should be untouchable.
What we’ve seen with the left-footed genius is that he will respond with something special when people question him, like he did at the Club World Cup this summer.
Cole Palmer playing for Chelsea against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Cole Palmer’s record vs West Ham since joining Chelsea
The Blues travel to the London Stadium on Friday night to face West Ham in their next league fixture.
For Palmer, he should have happy memories from playing the Hammers since joining the Blues. In fact, he’s scored two goals and created one assist in three Premier League matches against West Ham as a Chelsea player.
Goal for Chelsea, scored by Cole Palmer.
🔵 1-0 ⚒️ (15')
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 5, 2024
View Tweet
Palmer scored the first goal in a 5-0 away win against West Ham near the end of the 2023/24 campaign. Last season, he netted in a 3-0 away victory for Chelsea as well.
Pat Nevin expects Palmer to shine for Chelsea this season, and perhaps the trip to West Ham comes at the perfect time to get his campaign up and running.