'Frankly...' - Stefan Borson taken aback after Chelsea agree 'rolling contract'

Cole Palmer being offered another contract extension at Stamford Bridge is a "strange" decision from the Chelsea hierarchy.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that it is likely no more than a PR stunt in West London.

Palmer signed across the dotted line all the way back in 2023, agreeing to a seven-year deal after a £40million move from Man City.

Now, 141 games, 58 goals and 35 assists later, and the 24-year-old has already agreed new terms twice as his stock rises and falls at Stamford Bridge.

The latest contract has added another year onto his Chelsea stay, now seeing his deal expire in the summer of 2034 if he doesn't jump ship.

The 2025-26 campaign was a difficult one for the England international, missing several games through injury, but it would appear that the owners have full faith in him.

Cole Palmer's new Chelsea contract 'a bit odd'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, however, Borson has been left puzzled by the new contract, suggesting that it is simply a PR stunt.

"He's obviously in the top two or three in the club and, therefore, it makes life easier," he said.

"There probably aren't that many people saying, 'How could you possibly want to give him a long-term contract?'

"The chances are that most people recognise that he's a player that they'd rather build the side around. And so, those are the players where it's easier to offer new contracts.

"I don't see there being any real issue. But it's all a bit odd, in terms of the length of the contract and why they feel the need to just keep extending it.

"Obviously, they don't want to lose him, but there's just no realistic prospect of losing him or, quite frankly, that anybody would particularly be able to afford him anyway.

"I don't really understand that. I think it's quite optics-led. Clearly, it's quite strange to have a player that are effectively on a rolling eight-year contract."

Could Palmer's contract cause issues for Xabi Alonso?

Chelsea have nailed Palmer down to a new deal, with an extra year added to his contract, and that can only be positive in terms of keeping him.

However, Bryan King, speaking to Football Insider, believes that it could cause other players at the top of their game to seek higher salaries.

Player agents will always take an opportunity to get their client more money, even if it means frustrating those high up at the club.

Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro, Romeo Lavia and Pedro Neto have all starred so far this season, so it might not be long until one of their agents comes knocking.