Cole Palmer Chelsea exit concerns emerge: ‘Watch this space’
Chelsea are at risk of losing Cole Palmer in the summer transfer window after their form fell apart under Enzo Maresca, Paul Merson believes.
Having moved to Stamford Bridge from Man City back in the summer of 2023, the attacker has seen his form dip in recent months.
That has led some Chelsea fans to question exactly how Palmer is being used by manager Enzo Maresca.
Indeed, supporters have already been frustrated by the Chelsea boss’ recent claims that the club cannot currently compete for multiple trophies.
They are of course also in a battle to secure a Champions League spot for next season, which Merson believes could be crucial to the future of Palmer.
Paul Merson sends Champions League message over Cole Palmer
It looks as though five Premier League teams will qualify for the Champions League for the 2025/26 campaign, due to the performance of English clubs in Europe this season.
That comes with Chelsea currently sat sixth in the Premier League table, with concerns over whether they will qualify for Europe’s top competition for next season.
| Position | Club | Played | Points |
| 1st | Liverpool | 26 | 61 |
| 2nd | Arsenal | 25 | 53 |
| 3rd | Nottingham Forest | 25 | 47 |
| 4th | Man City | 25 | 44 |
| 5th | Bournemouth | 25 | 43 |
| 6th | Chelsea | 25 | 43 |
The signs may not be overly promising, with the Blues having won just three of their last 11 games across all competitions.
Merson believes that if they do indeed fail to qualify for the Champions League for next season, it will raise questions over the future of Palmer at the club
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday about the current situation at Chelsea, the former Arsenal and England attacker said (1:10pm): “With all these big squads they’ve got, and they’ve put people on seven [or] eight-year contracts, I don’t know how this is all going to pan out.
“If they finished outside the Champions League this year Palmer will want to being playing Champions League football.
“He’s getting to the stage where, you know, the lad’s top drawer, so he’ll want to be playing Champions League, watching Champions League. Watch this space if they don’t get into the top five.”
Chelsea must find a way to keep Cole Palmer
Football Insider Verdict
It will surely raise questions over the future of Palmer if Chelsea do not qualify for the Champions League this season.
Palmer has already been touted as a potential Ballon D’Or winner on the basis of his performances since moving to Stamford Bridge.
He himself will feel he is capable of achieving such success, but he is going to have to play at the very top level if he is to do so.
As a result if he is not going to get Champions League football at Chelsea, there may well be a temptation to leave the club for the England international.
Other teams will doubtless be aware of that, and could be inclined to try their luck over a deal for the 22-year-old given the quality they would be getting by completing a deal.
All of that could put even more pressure on Chelsea and their plans to back Maresca if they fail to reach the Champions League next season.