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It has been a difficult season for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. A player clearly held back by his niggling groin injury, Palmer has said himself that he has been unable to play at 100% at times.
Alan Shearer has described Palmer’s situation as “horrible”. Able to play, but not able to play to the best of his ability, or put in 100% effort. Given his importance to Chelsea, Liam Rosenior has kept using him.
Often, Rosenior has spoken about managing the England star’s minutes. A player who’s not had a break for a long time, playing at the European Championships in 2024 and the Club World Cup last summer.
Estevao is having a better season than Cole Palmer 🔥
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
This summer of course, Palmer is expected to be called up by England for the World Cup. But according to the man himself, he’s finally back to full fitness and has “turned a corner” in his fight to reach 100%.
Cole Palmer says he’s been unable to shoot while playing
Captain for the first time as a Chelsea player on Saturday, the 23-year-old led his side to victory. Even after a small mishap in the tunnel, in which Palmer joked he almost embodied Roy Keane pre-match.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Speaking to Chelsea’s Instagram after the game, Palmer says he feels he is now on top of his injury. He admits that now, he can shoot again, suggesting the injury had prevented him from doing so recently.
“Yeah, I feel good, I feel like I’ve turned a corner,” Palmer said. “Physically, I feel good now, I can finally shoot again, and I can do everything again. So yeah, it’s just about kicking on and performing.”
Liam Rosenior listens to Thomas Tuchel’s advice during break
During the break, Thomas Tuchel made it plain and simple regarding Palmer. He refuted any claims that Palmer is better from a wide position and stated he would be looking to play Palmer in the no.10 role.
Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella’s first sighting after the Chelsea comments 👀
Anything to take away from this?
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
In recent weeks, Rosenior has been using Palmer as a right-sided attacker. With Estevao and Jamie Gittens injured, Chelsea’s options out wide have deteriorated while Enzo Fernandez was preferred as the 10.
But on Saturday, Rosenior started Palmer as a 10 with Pedro Neto and Estevao either side of him. Clearly, he has listened to Tuchel and decided to throw the former Man City star into the attacking midfield slot.
Palmer was superb, albeit against a Port Vale side that were behind inside two minutes. While his goal might eventually go down as an own goal, Palmer is now on the climb back to his best, thankfully.
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