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Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane has come out in support of Cole Palmer, arguing that the criticism surrounding his displays this season is unjust, while expressing confidence that the Blues' star player will hit top form ahead of the World Cup.
Following his standout campaign in 2023–24, the English midfielder has found it difficult to replicate that level. This season has proven especially tough for Palmer, who was diagnosed with a persistent groin problem in just the second week of the campaign and has been working to get past it ever since.
His tally of 10 goals across all competitions falls well short of the 18 he scored last season and is a far cry from the 27 he notched under Mauricio Pochettino, yet McFarlane maintained that a dip in form is not the reason behind Palmer's reduced output.
"It's been a tough time for Cole," McFarlane said. "He's experienced his first real injury of his career and has had to figure out how to manage it.
"I don't buy into the idea that he isn't performing well. There are certainly matches where he could have more influence, but there have also been plenty of moments where he's created numerous quality chances for his teammates. He can't control whether those are converted.
"It's simply about building consistency. I'm really happy with Cole. He demonstrates his quality every single day, along with his energy and desire to play. He remains a top, top player — one of the best in the world. I have no doubts about Cole being ready to make an impact between now and the end of the season, and hopefully at the World Cup, in key moments for England."
Has Palmer Been Playing Poorly?
Palmer's numbers do not make for pleasant reading.
After 42 goal involvements in his debut campaign and 32 in Enzo Maresca's first season, Palmer has contributed to just 13 goals across all competitions this term, with his solitary Premier League assist standing out as a particular low point. Of his nine league goals, five have been penalties.
As McFarlane highlights, the toll of his groin injury should not be underestimated. Palmer was diagnosed with pubalgia after withdrawing from the warm-up before the season's second fixture, and he admitted as recently as April that he was only beginning to feel comfortable striking the ball again. Sprinting had also posed a challenge for the 23-year-old.
That discomfort has evidently affected several aspects of Palmer's game. He is still generating 1.23 chances per 90 minutes on the field, though 78 players across the division have produced more, including five of his Chelsea teammates.
It is not necessarily that Palmer is performing poorly, but the volume of his output has clearly declined and Chelsea supporters are keen to see their young star dictating matches from beginning to end once more.
Coping with fitness issues and the tactical shift that arrived under Liam Rosenior has clearly been a challenge for Palmer, who will be hoping for some degree of stability under an interim manager who has made clear his intention to lean on Maresca's philosophy to guide Chelsea home.
Chelsea's hopes of securing Champions League qualification have not entirely disappeared, with a potential route into the competition via Aston Villa winning the Europa League and finishing fifth still very much on the table, while the Blues are also gearing up to face Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The stage is set for Palmer to take centre stage over the coming weeks, with England manager Thomas Tuchel sure to be keeping a close eye ahead of the World Cup.