Chelsea bombshell: ‘Cole Palmer could quit in shock exit twist’
Cole Palmer may be open to leaving Chelsea this summer amid growing concerns about his role in the team under Enzo Maresca.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 22-year-old could be tempted to leave if an official offer is made.
Palmer has recorded 14 goals and eight assists in 31 Premier League games under Maresca but has now gone 14 games without finding the net in a run which stretches back to January.
As a result, question marks have been raised about whether the midfielder fits in with the manager’s style of play and he may now be questioning his future.
Paul Merson previously warned Palmer could leave Chelsea if they miss out on Champions League football amid concerns about their recent form.
Meanwhile, Chelsea fans have called for Maresca’s sacking as frustrations continue to grow in what is quickly becoming a toxic environment at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer weighing up Chelsea future after latest twist
Brown previously told Football Insider that Palmer plans to remain at Chelsea beyond the end of the season despite reports linking him with a move away.
However, the former scout who has a wealth of experience working in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that concerns about his future are growing.
“I could see Palmer being tempted to leave Chelsea,” he told Football Insider.
“It would be a shock if he left, no doubt, but things aren’t clicking for him at the moment.
“I don’t think he’ll force through a move or anything like that, but if an offer is made, he will consider it.
“There’s been a lot of frustration towards the manager and questions about his future.
“Palmer has struggled recently, and it seems he doesn’t fit in particularly well with Maresca’s formation.
“What Cole Palmer does is he drifts around, finds space to operate in, and then he can transform the team from defence to attack in the space of a few seconds.
“His ability to run with the ball, score goals and create goals is one of the best in the league.
“But recently, we haven’t been seeing that under Enzo Maresca.
“If for whatever reason he doesn’t fit into their team or their system, they’ll have to find a resolution.
“Based on some of the decisions he’s made this season, I’m not convinced the manager sees Palmer as a nailed-on starting player every week.
“Of course, his reputation and talent means he will feature in most games, but he doesn’t seem to fit.
“I think he’s a special player, you have to find a role for him and change things to suit that, but Maresca insists on playing the way he wants to play even if the players don’t suit it.“
Enzo Maresca sack update emerges at Stamford Bridge
Amid speculation about Palmer’s future, many have also suggested Maresca could be set to leave Stamford Bridge after a difficult run of form.
However, Football Insider revealed on 11 April that Chelsea are unlikely to sack Maresca at the end of the season despite growing speculation about his future.
The board are aiming to establish some stability after a turbulent couple of years in west London, and are instead set to back him in the transfer window.
Following the 2-2 draw against Ipswich, Maresca turned on the fans as he directly blamed them for his team conceding their second goal, further adding to the tension.
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