Chelsea did not get off to the perfect start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, and will be looking to put this right with a trip to face West Ham on Friday night.
Enzo Maresca’s side did not score on the opening day for the second successive season when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
An underwhelming performance could have been made worse if Eberechi Eze’s disallowed goal would have stood in the first half, with the Blues offering very little threat in response.
Cole Palmer was amongst the players who disappointed. Glenn Hoddle was underwhelmed by Palmer’s performance, as his dreadful run in front of goal in the Premier League continued.
Enzo Maresca reacts during Chelsea v Crystal Palace - Premier League
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Paul Merson says West Ham will plan to shut down Cole Palmer in Chelsea clash
It was clear from the turn of 2025 that sides were beginning to notice that shutting down the England international is a very good way of stopping Chelsea.
Paul Merson believes that West Ham are going to deploy this exact strategy against the Blues, and told Sky Sports he thinks Graham Potter has that plan in mind.
He said: “Chelsea were not good against Crystal Palace. The draw was worrying. If Cole Palmer isn’t going to break a team down, I’m not sure who is for Chelsea.
“Palmer is now the talk of the town in team talks up against Chelsea. Teams are trying to stop him because they think stop him, stop Chelsea. Stop Cole Palmer will be the message for West Ham on Friday. That’s just how it is.”
Graham Potter looks on during Sunderland v West Ham United - Premier League
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Cole Palmer’s poor run in front of goal
Palmer has not found the net from open play in the Premier League since a home game against Bournemouth back in January.
Since then, just a single penalty against Liverpool has been added to his goal tally, and some are beginning to get concerned about this fact.
Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin is worried about Palmer’s form in front of goal, and believes he will need to address this quickly to maintain his status as one of the best in the world.
If anyone is not going to be worried about this talk, it is Palmer himself, and a repeat of his performance at the London Stadium last year would put a lot of that to rest for now. He scored the third of a dominant 3-0 win last season.