Will Chelsea’s Season Define Cole Palmer’s Long-Term Future? | OneFootball

Chelsea, Maresca and the Champions League Dilemma

Chelsea’s Champions League Battle and Palmer’s Future

Enzo Maresca is adamant that Chelsea’s chances of retaining Cole Palmer do not hinge on Champions League qualification. However, the Italian concedes that failing to secure a top-four finish could have serious ramifications for the club’s summer recruitment strategy.

Chelsea’s upcoming fixture against Southampton presents an opportunity to halt their alarming decline, with just nine points taken from their last ten league games. What was shaping up to be a promising campaign has unravelled since mid-December, with the Blues tumbling from second to seventh. Now embroiled in a congested European race, Chelsea find themselves just seven points clear of tenth place.

Photo: IMAGO

Palmer’s Frustration Amid Chelsea’s Struggles

Palmer has cut a disheartened figure amid Chelsea’s slump, and his frustrations have not gone unnoticed. Earlier this month, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher publicly questioned whether the Blues could keep their star man happy without Champions League football.

Despite the speculation, Maresca remains confident that his project at Stamford Bridge retains the full commitment of its key players.

“For sure, if we finish top four and we can play in the Champions League next season, we can convince players to come here,” Maresca stated. “But players that are already here? I don’t think we need that.”

Photo: IMAGO

Maresca acknowledged that Palmer’s future could be reassessed should Chelsea fail to reach Europe’s elite competition, adding: “First of all, we need to see how we finish. Then, in case we don’t finish in the top four, we’ll see if Cole is happy or not happy.”

Yet, the Italian is unconvinced that Palmer is currently preoccupied with his long-term prospects. “I don’t think that Cole is worried in this moment about next year, that he wants to play in the Champions League. Cole is just focused on how he can help the team, how we can help him and how all together – as I said already many, many times this season – we can bring this club where this club has to be.”

Palmer’s Dip in Form Raises Questions

Since joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, Palmer has enjoyed a breakout season at Chelsea. However, his current barren spell is his longest in a Blues shirt. The 22-year-old has now gone five league matches without a goal, failing to capitalise on a golden opportunity to put Chelsea 2-0 ahead in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. His last assist came in the reverse fixture against Unai Emery’s side in early December.

Chelsea initially managed Palmer’s workload cautiously, omitting him from their Conference League group-stage squad. But his importance has grown immeasurably, with the playmaker completing 90 minutes in all but one of the last twelve league fixtures.

Maresca, however, dismissed any suggestion that fatigue is behind Palmer’s struggles, citing recent fitness tests as proof of his sharpness.

“Every six, seven months we do a physical test,” he revealed. “We did it in pre-season and we did it last week, and he was the strongest one. The one that won the test.”

Despite his misfire against Villa, Maresca remains fully convinced of Palmer’s value. When asked if injuries have forced him to overplay the youngster, he responded: “No, to be honest, because first of all, he’s always a player that can do something different.

“For sure, probably in terms of numbers, goals and assists, it is a moment where he struggles, but at the end he had the chance [against Villa]. He was there, then he missed, okay, but he was there. The problem is when you are not there.

“But it’s not just about Cole. We had more chances the other day with different players but because it’s Cole and everyone relies on him and everyone expects from him that he’s going to score goals. When he missed a chance, everyone is watching that but for me it’s okay.”

Chelsea’s Season Hinges on a Strong Finish

Maresca’s side must now rediscover their rhythm as the season approaches its defining stage. The Southampton clash is the first of several must-win games if Chelsea are to salvage their top-four ambitions.

For Palmer, the pressure will only intensify. His influence on Chelsea’s attack is undeniable, and should he rediscover his finishing touch, it could prove pivotal in securing Champions League football for next season.

Maresca remains calm, exuding faith in both his player and his long-term vision. But should Chelsea fall short, questions over Palmer’s future will only grow louder.