Cole Palmer’s reported frustration with Chelsea will inevitably lead to more Manchester United links, amid suggestions the England international has been homesick after leaving Manchester in 2023.
Rumours of Cole Palmer being unsettled at Chelsea are nothing new.
Palmer has struggled in terms of form and fitness this season, but that hasn’t stopped media reports linking him with a switch to Manchester United.
Born and bred in Manchester, Palmer is a boyhood United fan, and his dad is a long-term season ticket holder at Old Trafford. It all sounds promising until realisation kicks in that his contract at Chelsea is problematic.
Cole Palmer running with the ball against Everton
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Cole Palmer misses Manchester as Chelsea frustrations grow
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has played down Palmer rumours in the past, insisting he is untouchable.
That means it would take something special from United to strike a deal with Chelsea for Palmer this season, especially when the Red Devils have other costly priorities in the team, such as central midfield.
Speaking on the Ranks FC podcast, Dean Jones explains Palmer’s current situation. He stresses that the 23-year-old has been frustrated with his injuries, himself and Chelsea’s form this season.
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The reporter relays the rumours that Palmer is homesick and misses Manchester.
“Now, I’m told that Cole Palmer himself is really frustrated with the recurring injury,” Jones said.
“Like it’s something that’s obviously been there for a while now, and he’s not only frustrated with that and I think the management of it, but also with how it has begun to affect his form, because he is so desperate to get back to where he was.
“So I think he’s annoyed. I think he’s annoyed with Chelsea’s form. I think he’s annoyed with his own form.
“I think he’s annoyed with his own body. I think he’s a bit annoyed with the people that are looking after his body. And I just don’t know that we’re seeing the carefree Cole Palmer that allowed for him to perform so nonchalantly at such a high level, which was what was the great thing about him.
“And that concerns me. And I’m also concerned that he is feeling pressure and that actually is making him be a shadow of the player that he actually always has been. There have been rumours about Palmer potentially leaving Chelsea and that he’s homesick and he misses Manchester.
“I think there’s something in that too. I don’t know that Cole Palmer is going to stay at Chelsea for years to come, if I’m totally honest. Right now, it doesn’t really matter.”
Cole Palmer stats this season
There’s no denying that Palmer has not replicated the form he showed last season, and now conversations are being had over Rosenior’s use of the forward.
Palmer has scored 10 goals so far this season, with nine of them coming in the Premier League. He also managed to score one goal during Chelsea’s run in the Champions League.
Under Rosenior, Palmer has been restricted to the right-hand side to maintain width in the team. Many feel as though he would be better in the number 10 role.
A report from the Daily Mail suggests Thomas Tuchel acknowledged this in England training ahead of the upcoming international friendlies.
It remains to be seen if this will be a conversation had between United fans in the future.
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