Selling Cole Palmer is a prospect that Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca would have considered crazy last summer. The England international was a revelation during his first season at Stamford Bridge, registering 22 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League.
His performances saw him crowned the 2023/24 PFA Young Player of the Season. He started the current campaign in the same vein, scoring four times in the first half in his side’s 4–2 win over Brighton in September. That display was capped by him later being named Premier League Player of the Month, as his £42million transfer fee continued to look absurdly low.
However, the 22-year-old has since gone off the boil. He is currently on a nine-game goalless run in all competitions, with his last strike coming on January 14 against Bournemouth. His last assist was even further back on December 1.
Suddenly, there are doubts over Palmer’s Chelsea future. Pundits Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes have urged him to consider a move elsewhere, and his lack of form and current demeanour have led to suggestions that he’s unhappy in west London.
It would be a massive call from Maresca to let Palmer go. However, given he’s contracted until 20233, the club would undoubtedly be able to demand a huge sum from interested parties, which could lead to them strengthening elsewhere.
Chelsea has undoubtedly lacked a clinical striker this season. Palmer remains their top Premier League scorer with 14, the only player in double figures. Letting him go could finally pave the way for them to complete the signing of Victor Osimhen, with Napoli reportedly ready to sell the Galatasaray loanee for around £63million this summer.
The Blues would have cash to play with, while also opening a sizeable hole in the club’s salary bracket to accomodate the marquee arrival.
The departure of Palmer could only open the door for Noni Madueke to flourish more at Chelsea. The English forward has impressed at times this season but has also been plagued by inconsistency and regularly dropped from Maresca’s XI.
Much of Maresca’s side’s attacking play goes through Palmer. If that were no longer an option, Madueke would likely be given increased responsibility and would be able to roam infield more from his customary wide role.
Inadvertently, that development could help Brazilian teenage sensation Esteavo. The 17-year-old will join from Palmeiras at the end of the season, and opportunities to make an instant impact will only be enhanced if Palmer is sold.